articles+ search results

Electromagnetic fields, Antennas (Electronics), Wireless sensor networks, and Rapid prototyping

Keywords: metallization; radio frequency performance; SLA reflector; three-dimensional printed Abstract A novel high precision and lightweight reflector antenna is proposed. The fabrication process of the reflector adopted Stereo Lithography Apparatus (SLA) printed and metallization. The proposed SLA Reflector (SLAR) antenna structure adopts three-dimensional-printed, which can design complex geometric shapes flexibly and rapid prototyping. That is a good substitute for the traditional method of millimeter wave reflector processing. In order to realize radio frequency (RF) characteristics perfectly, the metallization process of photosensitive resin was elaborated, which realized by first electroless nickel plating, then copper electroplating, and finally chromium electroplating on the protective layer. For verification, the designed reflector antenna was manufactured and measured. The reflectivity of SLAR was measured well by the bow method, which validates excellent fabrication accuracy and reliability. The gain and pattern were measured in the anechoic chamber. The results show that the proposed reflector antenna achieves the gain of 25dBi and the 3dB gain bandwidth of 43% over the full Ka-band. A good agreement can be observed between measurement and simulation. Biographical information: Liwei Guo received the B.E. degree in from the Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, China in 2006. She is currently pursuing the PhD degree in Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, China. Her current research interests include metasurfaces, millimeter-wave reflector antenna. Simin Li received the B.S. degree in wireless communication engineering from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China, in 1984, and the M.S. and PhD degrees in electronics engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China, in 1989 and 2007, respectively. Dr. Li is currently the President and a Professor with Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, China. His current research interests include the design of electrically small antennas, antenna arrays for high-frequency communication systems, and wireless sensor networks. Xing Jiang received the Master's degree in electromagnetic field and microwave technology from Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China, in 1986. Since 2000, she has been a Professor with the Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, China. She was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi. Her research interests include smart communication system design, conformal antenna array, and bioelectromagnetics. Xin Liao received the B.E. degree from Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China, in 1990. He is currently a Lecturer with the Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, China. His research interests include Electromagnetic Compatibility and antenna measurement. Ying Zhang received the B.E. degree in Harbin Institute of Technology of optical instrument. Now she is a researcher at Beijing Simulation Center. Her research interest is the simulation of visible light/infrared guidance and control systems. Bin Shi is an associate researcher- in Beijing Simulation Center. Her research interest is the simulation of radio frequency target accuracy. Article Note: Funding information Guangxi Innovation Driven Development Special Fund Project, Grant/Award Number: GUIKEAA19254012; Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education, Grant/Award Number: YCBZ2019051; National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant/Award Numbers: 61761012, 61661011 Byline: Liwei Guo, Simin Li, Xing Jiang, Xin Liao, Ying Zhang, Bin Shi

3D printing -- Case studies, Engineering schools -- Case studies, Labor market -- Case studies, and Mechanical engineering -- Case studies

Keywords: 3D digitizing; design skills; hands-on activities; redesign; reverse engineering Abstract Today's job market is seeking engineers with competencies to design innovative solutions that meet sophisticated customer needs. Engineering education is then challenged to equip future engineers with holistic engineering design skills, especially functional ones. A powerful means to strengthen these skills is the use of reverse-engineering-based activities, which consist of examining, extracting information, and redesigning existing products. However, most current education endeavours, based on reverse engineering, consist only of practicing simple teardowns that have circumscribed impact on the acquisition of skills. Therefore, there is a need for more elaborated authentic hands-on activities to gain a broad set of design skills. This study addresses this gap by the development of a concept of wide-ranging engineering activities that start with the study of an existing product and ends with an improved redesigned three-dimensional (3D) printed product. This concept of activities was developed to strengthen a conventional course on product design. Thus, a tailored comprehensive redesign process is proposed first, and expanded as a concept of a set of experiential activities, with associated measures for skills acquisition. This concept encompasses teardown, 3D digitizing and rapid prototyping, and aims mainly at facilitating the understanding of components' functionalities, the numerical reconstruction by 3D digitizing, the mechanical modelling and engineering analysis of parts and finally the 3D printing of the redesign output. To understand, experience, and weigh up the relevance of the proposed concept of activities, a preliminary implementation, and a case study are illustrated. Particularly, the relevance of the concept is demonstrated through the assessment of the activities' measures. In short, this study provides educators with an authentic education tool that leverages on a broader reverse engineering vision to boost the job's sought-after design skills. Byline: Mohammed Akerdad, Ahmed Aboutajeddine, Mohammed Elmajdoubi

Program errors -- Analysis, Executives -- Analysis, Computer science -- Analysis, Business, and Computers and office automation industries

Keywords Concolic testing; Virtual prototyping; SystemC; RISC-V; Internet of things Abstract Constrained Internet of Things (IoT) devices with limited computing resource are increasingly employed in security critical areas. Therefore, it is important for the firmware of these devices to be tested sufficiently. On non-constrained conventional devices, dynamic testing techniques (e.g. fuzzing, symbolic execution, or concolic testing) are successfully utilized to discover critical bugs in tested software. Unfortunately, the diverse ecosystem and the dependence on low-level details of a wide range of peripherals makes it difficult to use these techniques in the IoT context. In order to address these challenges, we present SymEx-VP an open source emulation-based approach for concolic testing of IoT firmware. SymEx-VP is a virtual prototype for RISC-V hardware platforms and allows concolic testing of RISC-V machine code. To support a wide range of different peripherals, SymEx-VP utilizes SystemC, a hardware modeling language for C++. By employing a SystemC extension mechanism, SymEx-VP can inject concolic inputs into the emulated firmware through the memory-mapped I/O peripheral interface of existing SystemC peripheral models. This allows us to support different operating systems and libraries used in the IoT with minimal integration effort. We provide an extensive description of SymEx-VP, illustrate peripheral modeling and firmware testing using it by example, and perform tests with four operating systems to demonstrate the advantages of our OS-agnostic firmware testing method. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Computer Science, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany (b) Cyber-Physical Systems, DFKI GmbH, Bremen, Germany * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 21 December 2021; Revised 25 February 2022; Accepted 2 March 2022 (footnote) The code (and data) in this article has been certified as Reproducible by Code Ocean: (https://codeocean.com/). More information on the Reproducibility Badge Initiative is available at https://www.elsevier.com/physical-sciences-and-engineering/computer-science/journals. (footnote)[white star] This work was supported in part by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the poject Scale4Edge under contract no. 16ME0127 and within the project VerSys under contract no. 01IW19001. Byline: Sören Tempel [tempel@uni-bremen.de] (a,*), Vladimir Herdt [vherdt@uni-bremen.de] (a,b), Rolf Drechsler [drechsler@uni-bremen.de] (a,b)

Visual perception and Rapid prototyping

Keywords Cerebral visual impairment; Visuoperceptual profile; Serious game-based therapy; Functional vision; Individualized; Adaptive Highlights * Individualized adaptive serious games were developed for cerebral visual impairment. * A multi-informant approach is crucial in serious game-based therapy development. * Visuoperceptual profiles serve as a basis for individualized entry-level difficulty. * Automatic in-game adaptivity can be preliminarily defined using handcrafted rules. * Iterative approach in different user testing groups supported fine-tuning of games. Abstract Children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) exhibit a very heterogeneous clinical visuoperceptual picture, which implies that a targeted individualized and adaptive therapy is necessary. Serious games for CVI are limited, especially those that train multiple visuoperceptual skills in an individualized and adaptive manner without the frequent manual input from clinicians. In this paper, we describe the design, development, and evaluation process of novel individualized and adaptive serious mini-games for visual perceptual skills. First, an informant-led design, including focus groups with relevant stakeholders implementing a participation-via-proxy and brainstorming sessions, was performed. This resulted in rapid prototypes of four mini-games (MatchMaker, Hurricane Chaos, Maze Explorer 2D, and Maze Explorer 3D), targeting six visuoperceptual skills commonly impaired in children with CVI: (1) visual discrimination and matching, (2) object or picture recognition, (3) visual spatial perception, (4) figure-ground perception, (5) motion perception, and (6) visual short-term memory. Therapeutic game content (selecting, manipulating, and rating images; defining entry-level difficulty and in-game adaptivity rules) was evaluated by clinical and research experts. Finally, formative testing and expert feedback, including usability and user experience by clinicians, researchers, and typically developing children, led to important modifications in the mini-games. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), O&N IV Herestraat 49, Box 805, 3000 Leuven, Belgium (b) Department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium (c) imec, Leuven, Belgium (d) Department of Brain & Cognition, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium (e) Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium (f) Child Youth Institute (L-C&Y), Leuven, Belgium * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 3 August 2021; Revised 16 November 2021; Accepted 26 November 2021 (footnote)[white star] The views expressed in the submitted article are our own and not an official position of the institution or funder. This work was supported by the Fund Scientific Research Flanders (FWO-project) (grant number T003817N). Author JW was supported by the Flemish Government (grant number METH/14/02). Byline: N. Ben Itzhak [nofar.benitzhak@kuleuven.be] (a,*), I. Franki (a), B. Jansen (b,c), K. Kostkova (b,c), J. Wagemans (d,e), E. Ortibus (a,f)

Government regulation, Augmented Reality -- Laws, regulations and rules, Children -- Behavior -- Laws, regulations and rules, Sensors -- Laws, regulations and rules, Medical colleges -- Laws, regulations and rules, Medical law, and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Laws, regulations and rules

Keywords ADHD; Self-regulation; Technologies; m-health; Wearables; Children Highlights * Technology has the potential to support self-regulation in children with ADHD. * Most prior research has used mobile and sensor technology to deliver intervention for ADHD. * Most technological interventions try to support children at school or at home. Abstract Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric condition. Children with ADHD display symptoms of inattention and hyperactive/impulsive behaviors. Behavioral interventions are promising as approaches for improving the control of attention and impulsivity and in developing self-regulation skills. Self-regulation involves controlling one's behavior, emotions, and thoughts to pursue long-term goals and is fundamental to adaptive developmental tasks at all stages of life. Innovative approaches for supporting children with ADHD include using both novel and consumer off-the-shelf technologies to support the self-regulation of emotions and behaviors. This review aims to provide a resource to summarize the current evidence for technological interventions that assist and assess the self-regulation of behaviors and emotions supporting children with ADHD. This review included 36 papers that used multiple technological emerging platforms (i.e., personal computers; mobile; sensors, wearables; virtual and augmented reality; robots) used by children with ADHD. Most technologies are suspended in the design and prototyping phases. However, studies that included robust enough technologies for deployment studies or pilot random control trials exhibit promising implications for supporting self-regulation in children with ADHD. Author Affiliation: (a) Fowler School of Engineering, Chapman University, United States of America (b) Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, United States of America (c) Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, United States of America (d) Department of Informatics, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, United States of America * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 10 November 2020; Revised 1 October 2021; Accepted 4 October 2021 Byline: Franceli L. Cibrian [cibrian@chapman.edu] (a,*), Kimberley D. Lakes [kimberley.lakes@medsch.ucr.edu] (b), Sabrina E.B. Schuck [sabrina@uci.edu] (c), Gillian R. Hayes [gillianrh@ics.uci.edu] (d,*)

Computer science

Keywords Smart thing; Toolkit; Action research; Card; Game; Design; Reflection; Child Abstract Several workshops use toolkits to engage children in the design of smart things, that is, everyday things like toys enhanced with computing devices and capabilities. In general, the toolkits focus on one design stage or another, e.g., ideation or programming. Few toolkits are created to guide children through an entire design process. This paper presents a toolkit for smart-thing design with children. It revolves around SNaP, a card-based board game for children. The toolkit serves to frame the entire design process and guide them through their exploration, ideation, programming and prototyping of their own smart things. By embracing action research, the toolkit was adopted in actions with children, namely, design workshops. Results of actions were reflected over by considering children's benefits, and they were used to make the toolkit evolve across cycles of action, reflection and development. The paper reports on the latest evolution cycles, ending with the 2020 cycle for continuing smart-thing design during COVID-19 times. The paper concludes with general reflections concerning action research and design with children, toolkits for framing smart-thing design with children, on-going and future work. Author Affiliation: (a) Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Domenicani 3, 39100 Bolzano, Italy (b) DEIB, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio, 34/5, 20133 Milan, Italy * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 25 October 2020; Revised 14 May 2021; Accepted 16 July 2021 Byline: Rosella Gennari [gennari@inf.unibz.it] (a,*), Maristella Matera [maristella.matera@polimi.it] (b), Alessandra Melonio [alessandra.melonio@unibz.it] (a), Mehdi Rizvi [syedmehdi.rizvi@polimi.it] (b), Eftychia Roumelioti [eftychia.roumelioti@stud-inf.unibz.it] (a)

Data warehousing/data mining, Algorithm, Optical radar, Sensors, Data mining, and Algorithms

Keywords: algorithm testing; complex ocean scenarios; data generation; sensors; simulation platform; unmanned surface vessel Abstract Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have been fully used in the civilian and military fields in recent years, which dramatically expands protective capability and detection range. However, the marine environment's complexity and variability make that verification of various advanced USVs control algorithms face high costs and high risks. In this article, we present USVs-Sim, a novel high-fidelity general simulation platform for USVs autonomous navigation data generation and control strategy testing. USVs-Sim is a collection of high-level extensible modules that allows the rapid development and testing of USVs configurations and facilitates the construction of complex ocean scenarios. USVs-Sim supports the steering or thrusting limits of USVs, as well as unique dynamics profiles. The platform can specify specific USVs sensor systems and change the time of day and weather conditions to generate robust data. USVs-Sim facilitates training of deep-learning algorithms by enabling data export from USVs sensors, including vision data, lidar, relative positions of ocean targets. Therefore, USVs-Sim allows for the rapid prototyping, development, and testing of USVs autonomous control algorithms in a complex marine environment. In this article, we detail the general simulation platform and testing several representative USVs intelligent control algorithms on the platform. Article Note: Funding information Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, MC-201920-X01; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 61991415; 91746203 Byline: Wei Wang, Han Zhang, Yang Li, Zhenyu Zhang, Xiangfeng Luo, Shaorong Xie

Ecosystems -- Environmental aspects

Keywords Digital transformation; Metrological processes; Administrative shell; Digital Calibration Certificate; DCC; Declaration of Conformity; DoC; Distributed software architecture; Weighing instruments; Legal Metrology Abstract In this paper a metrological quality infrastructure is introduced, that considers the strict legal framework and offers transparency, security and resilience. As a foundation, the AnGeWaNt platform is used to connect external infrastructures and foster digital transformation of processes. A fast and easy integration of a vacuum laboratory workflow is demonstrated by benefiting from the distributed service architecture and harmonized RESTful application interfaces. Furthermore, through the modular approach of the AnGeWaNt platform, a rapid service prototyping is enabled by a tool set of services. Providing a digital transformed conformity process to the service hub and avoiding expensive re-implementation. These two exemplary use cases are extensively described and their benefits to the metrological service ecosystem are shown. The main advantage of the interdependent service ecosystem is the flexibility to preserve specialized applications on site, while enabling innovative and custom-tailored services at the same time. Author Affiliation: (a) Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Abbestr. 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany (b) Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Byline: Alexander Oppermann [alexander.oppermann@ptb.de] (a), Samuel Eickelberg (a), John Exner (a), Thomas Bock (a), Matthias Bernien (a), Rolf Niepraschk (a), Wiebke Heeren (b), Oksana Baer (b), Clifford Brown (b)

Virtual reality technology, Time to market, Manufacturing industry, Augmented Reality, Product development, and Virtual reality

Keywords Augmented reality; Virtual reality; Manufacturing Abstract Virtual and augmented reality technologies are gaining a stable presence in many industries, while supporting the efficiency and productivity of individual business processes. Education, virtual prototyping, production system design, remote maintenance, digital twin scenario simulations, digital tutorials are areas in which these technologies have found their place and at the same time record visible development. These are solutions that shorten product development time, reduce prototyping costs, streamline training and assembly processes, and can be used as a decision support tool through simulations of various production scenarios. Slovakia, as a pre-developed country, has the ambition to implement modern technologies in industry and education. Reflecting on this strategy, the aim of our paper was to quantify and analyze the level of knowledge and interest in these technologies in Slovak manufacturing companies. Author Affiliation: Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10 P.O.BOX 95, Bratislava 25, 82005, Slovakia Byline: Peter Balco [peter.balco@fm.uniba.sk], Peter Bajzík, Klára Skovierová

Algorithm and Algorithms -- Mechanical properties

Tensile strength, warping degree, and surface roughness are important indicators to evaluate the quality of fused deposition modeling (FDM) parts, and their accurate and stable prediction is helpful to the development of FDM technology. Thus, a quality prediction method of FDM parts based on an optimized deep belief network was proposed. To determine the combination of process parameters that have the greatest influence on the quality of FDM parts, the correlation analysis method was used to screen the key quality factors that affect the quality of FDM parts. Then, we use 10-fold cross-validation and grid search (GS) to determine the optimal hyperparameter combination of the sparse constrained deep belief network (SDBN), propose an adaptive cuckoo search (ACS) algorithm to optimize the weights and biases of the SDBN, and complete the construction of prediction model based on the above work. The results show that compared with DBN, LSTM, RBFNN, and BPNN, the ACS-SDBN model designed in this article can map the complex nonlinear relationship between FDM part quality characteristics and process parameters more effectively, and the CV verification accuracy of the model can reach more than 95.92%. The prediction accuracy can reach more than 96.67%, and the model has higher accuracy and stability.
Author(s): Hai Dong [1]; Xiuxiu Gao (corresponding author) [2]; Mingqi Wei [2] 1. Introduction Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapid prototyping technology born in the 1980s, which realizes the conversion [...]

Robot, Computer-based entertainment system, Computer entertainment systems, Social distancing (Public health), Rapid prototyping, Child behavior, Robots, Educational assessment, Distance education, Project-based learning, Data collection, Video game equipment, Children -- Behavior, Video games -- Equipment and supplies, Data entry, and Educational evaluation

Keywords Design Tools; Smart toys; Social robots; Rapid prototyping; Remote learning Highlights * Design tools to prototype toy user interfaces following privacy by design principles. * Design tools cover human-centered design stages, including data collection planning. * Qualitative project-based learning evaluation with interdisciplinary stakeholders. * 255 stakeholders implemented 67 paper-based, functional, and digital prototypes. * Adapted tools for remote teamwork and education during the social distancing context. Abstract A Toy User Interface (ToyUI) is a setup combination of one or more toy components with other hardware or software components. As part of new technologies that permeate the Child--Computer Interaction (CCI) domain, a ToyUI can combine physical toy components with social robots, smartphones, tablets, game consoles, among other computing artifacts. This paper compiles a collection of design tools that we develop to support interdisciplinary creators in prototyping innovative ToyUI setups. The design tools aim to help the CCI community understand the benefits of hardware and software integration while delivering solutions that can meet privacy by design principles. We apply the Design Science framework to assess the problem context and propose and evaluate the design tools following a Human-Centered Design (HCD) perspective. The tools cover steps from inspiration to ideation and implementation, including user research, brainstorming, data collection planning, and low to high-fidelity prototyping tools. We detail the current version of the design tools and six years of results through qualitative evaluation in an educational setting (with 255 creators in seven different institutions). We also propose novel versions of the tools to support remote teamwork and education, and we highlight training challenges during the social distancing context.

Keywords: fault detection; fault-tolerant control; hypersonic reentry vehicle; intermittent fault; rapid prototyping ***** No abstract is available for this article. ***** Byline: Matthias A. Müller, Frank Allgöwer, Fuyang Chen, Fan Jin, Zili Wang

Architectural design

Keywords: Architectural Design; Model-based Systems Engineering; Processes; Requirements Elicitation and Management; Systems Thinking Abstract Numerous systems engineering (SE) methods for the model-based and textual specification of systems focus on managing complexity solely by partitioning the system based on physical structures or by defining different views of the system and therefore reach their limits in agile development. The increasing demand for an agile system development requires an agile systems engineering procedure for the model-based and textual top-down specification of systems. Although function-based development, variant management, and product line development are well established in software engineering, previous work has failed to introduce methods for the agile specification of systems by combining established methods from systems and software engineering. For that purpose, this paper demonstrates a new SE methodology, which for the first time combines conventional SE methods with the agile development procedure of feature-driven development. The methodology is systematically developed based on theoretical analyses and its suitability for the application-specific definition of feature-driven development processes is demonstrated using the example of reference architectures for XiL simulation models of electric vehicles. By applying feature-driven development, the resulting CUBE methodology enhances collaboration in interdisciplinary development teams and enables companies to adapt development processes to a more agile top-down specification of systems. Biographical information: Christian Granrath, M.Sc. received the B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering in 2014 and the M.Sc. degree in energy engineering in 2016 from RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. From 2016 to 2021 he performed his doctoral studies at the Junior Professorship for Mechatronic Systems for Combustion Engines, Institute for Combustion Engines, RWTH University. Since 2021, he is working as a technical specialist for systems engineering at FEV Europe GmbH. His research interests include the fields of model- and feature-based systems engineering, agile software engineering, software architecture development and evaluation as well as simulation model development for XiL applications in automotive domain. Mr. Granrath's awards and honors include the Dean's List, representing the top 5% of the best students in each year. Christopher Kugler, M.Sc. received his master in Computer Science at the RWTH Aachen University in 2014. From 2015 to 2019 he performed his doctoral studies at the computer science chair 'Informatik 11 - Embedded Software' at the RWTH Aachen University. His doctorate thesis investigates how the increase in complexity in automotive product development can be handled by means of risk-based verification & validation approaches. Since 2019 he is working as a team leader for Systems Engineering & Test Management at FEV Europe GmbH. The focus of his work lies on the definition and implementation of model-based systems engineering practices as well as verification & validation concepts for automotive customers, where a feature-centric and risk-driven approach is promoted by him and his team. Sebastian Silberg, B.Sc. received the B.Sc. degree in Information Systems in 2016 from WWU University of Münster, Germany. He is currently pursuing a second study in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, Germany. In parallel, he is employed at FEV Europe GmbH within the business unit Intelligent Mobility & Software as member of the systems engineering department. He is involved in several projects and research with the emphasis on Systems Engineering. Max-Arno Meyer, M.Sc. received the B.Eng. degree in vehicle and propulsion technology in 2015 and the M.Sc. degree in international automotive engineering in 2018 from FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in software engineering at the Junior Professorship for Mechatronic Systems for Combustion Engines, Institute for Combustion Engines, RWTH Aachen University. His research interests include the fields of simulation-based testing of embedded systems, ADAS and autonomous driving, agile software engineering as well as model- and feature-based systems engineering. Mr. Meyer has been awarded the Honorary Plaque of FH Aachen for his academic achievements being among the top five percent of the best students in each year. Dr.-Ing. Philipp A. Orth received his Diploma Degree with distinction in Mechanical Engineering in 2000. In 2005, he obtained a Doctorate Degree in the same faculty of RWTH Aachen University at the Institute of Automatic Control. In his doctorate thesis, he investigated the applicability of Rapid Control Prototyping methods to Industrial Automation, bringing together control analysis and synthesis of discrete controllers with programming of programmable logic controllers (PLC) in an integrated SW tool chain. From 2006 to 2007, he worked at ABB corporate research on engineering efficiency and tool chains for process control systems and safety PLCs. Since 2007, he has worked as team lead at FEV until mid of 2014, responsible for model-based software development of embedded control systems for automotive and/or powertrain series applications, before changing to the position of a senior project manager for SW and systems engineering in the context of heavy-duty and passenger-car applications. Since 2019 he leads the department Systems Engineering within the Business Unit Intelligent Mobility & Software at FEV Europe GmbH, focusing on improvements in SE methodology and establishing SE within FEV as well as at - mainly automotive - OEM and Tier-1 customers. He is author and co-author of more than 30 articles, conference presentations and patents on the mentioned topics. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Richenhagen received the Diploma Degree in Industry Engineering & Management in 2009. In 2014, he obtained a Doctorate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, both from the RWTH Aachen University. In his doctorate thesis, he investigated the applicability of Agile Software Development methods to powertrain control software development to close the gap between engineering and computer sciences for future mobility applications. From 2013 to 2018, he was working as a technical specialist, team leader and department manager at FEV Europe GmbH. He focused on the design and test of embedded software for automotive systems. Since 2019, he leads the Business unit Intelligent Mobility & Software at FEV Europe GmbH. His responsibilities include connected mobility, automated and assisted driving, systems engineering, functional safety and cyber security, vehicle electronics, software development and Data Science. He is author and co-author of more than 50 articles and conference presentations around the mentioned topics. Since 2015, he is as guest lecturer at RWTH Aachen University for 'Software Development for Combustion Engines.' Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Andert received his Dipl.-Ing. and Dr.-Ing. degrees at the RWTH Aachen University in 2007 and 2012, respectively. From 2012 to 2014, he was a project manager at FEV GmbH in the field of hybrid and electrical drive trains. Since 2014, he is Junior Professor for mechatronic systems in combustion engines at the Institute for Combustion Engines (VKA) at RWTH Aachen University. He received his Dr.-Ing. degree for a dissertation about a real time cycle-to-cycle control of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines. The Junior Professorship addresses mechatronic system in combustion engines, such as electrical cam timing actuators as well as real time systems, FPGA indication systems and Vehicle-to-X communication systems. Byline: Christian Granrath, Christopher Kugler, Sebastian Silberg, Max-Arno Meyer, Philipp Orth, Johannes Richenhagen, Jakob Andert

Transceiver and Transceivers -- Methods

Keywords Next-generation wireless; Millimeter-wave; Software-defined-radio; Prototyping; Beamforming; Calibration Abstract The Pi-Radio v1 software-defined radio (SDR) platform incorporates a 4-channel fully-digital transceiver board that operates in the 57--64 GHz band and connects to the powerful Xilinx RFSoC-based ZCU111 evaluation board. This paper illustrates various calibration procedures that have been implemented to avoid relying on expensive laboratory equipment and infrastructure like spectrum analyzers, signal generators, or even anechoic chambers. We conclude this paper with a demonstration of beamforming enabled through geometrically determined beamforming weights, thereby demonstrating that the SDR nodes have been calibrated correctly. Author Affiliation: (a) Pi-Radio Inc., 155 Water Street Unit 4/10, Brooklyn, 11201 NY, USA (b) University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093, USA (c) Nokia, 171 Madison Ave Suite 1100, 10016 NY, USA (d) New York University, 370 Jay Street, Brooklyn, 11201 NY, USA * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 13 November 2020; Revised 22 April 2021; Accepted 31 May 2021 Byline: Aditya Dhananjay [aditya.dhananjay@pi-rad.io] (a,d,*), Kai Zheng [kai.zheng@ucsd.edu] (b), Marco Mezzavilla [mezzavilla@nyu.edu] (a,d), Lorenzo Iotti [lorenzo.iotti@nokia.com] (c), Dennis Shasha [shasha@cims.nyu.edu] (a,d), Sundeep Rangan [srangan@nyu.edu] (a,d)

Robotics industry, Robotics industry, Architecture, and Robotics -- Design and construction

Keywords: architecture; building design; design technology; kinetic architecture; robotics Abstract This study reports and analyzes the first architectural robotics class regularly organized in a professional college in South Korea. The course consists of two modules: (i) design experimentation with kinetic (responsive) building prototyping and (ii) construction automation of a complex building form using an industrial robot arm. Both modules are structured to provide undergraduates with applied knowledge of kinematics and mechanisms. Along with introducing tools and content of robotics learning in architecture, the course development and students' perception of learning progress and intellectual achievement have been systematically assessed by adapting theoretical course analysis models (of Richards and of Kirkpatrick). The results reveal that learning motivation affects self-satisfaction and achievement. This suggests that the background, goals, and methods of teaching robotics engineering need to be carefully coordinated over the entire curricular context of building design education. Byline: Hwang Yi

Programmable logic array, Electrical engineering, Computer-aided design -- Analysis, Digital integrated circuits -- Analysis, and Electrical engineering -- Analysis

Keywords: computer-aided design; control theory; electrical engineering; laboratory; rapid prototyping Abstract The laboratories of control theory are often limited to simulations and a few or none experimental tests. As in other technical subjects, practical experiments really help to understand the theory but need much time and the experimental platforms are usually expensive. This paper describes a platform that implements a universal third-order discrete controller based on field programmable gate array (FPGA). The controller is implemented using fixed-point arithmetic, with 17-bit coefficients, but students can reduce the number of bits to find the resolution problems that may arise. This low-cost platform, based on a Xilinx Spartan FPGA, allows students to try controllers just by configuring the coefficients of the controller through a computer application and a USB port. It drastically reduces the implementation time, allowing more time for design and testing. Therefore, students can try many controllers in the same laboratory session so that they can check experimentally their behavior in real prototypes and see the differences between simulations and physical systems. This platform has been applied in a real course over two academic years. The student opinion survey shows that the survey respondents consider the platform useful for more deeply understanding the subject, with an average score of 4.47/5.00 on a Likert scale (with a margin of error of 15.56% with a 95% confidence level). Besides this, the platform records the usage statistics showing that there is a relationship between the application usage and the marks in both the theory and laboratory parts. Byline: Alberto Sanchez, Angel Castro, Jorge Benedicto, María Sofía Martínez-García

This paper presents an approach to rigid flat origami design, with applications including a portable boat and travel-size musical instrument. The conditions for rigid flat folding are summarised, and a set of procedural design guidelines are presented systematically to apply these principles, including a symmetry-based strategy for achieving additional compactness, a corner-fold insertion technique to achieve constraint in the desired shape while preserving mobility for transition to the flat configuration, and a plane-assignment algorithm for the flat configuration. The portable boat is developed from a symmetric, four-vertex origami pattern, and a simplified construction is identified through eliminating the panels which remain adjacent in the open and flat-folded configurations. The musical instrument is a modified box in the shape of an octagonal right prism, and is designed using methods similar to those used in the boat construction. Prototyping methods for both objects, and light testing, are presented. Byline: Carl A. Nelson

Sensors

Keywords Raspberry Pi; BeagleBone; Sharks Cove; Waspmote Abstract Arduino, an open-source electronics platform, has become the go-to option for anyone working on interactive hardware and software projects. An Arduino board (such as the Uno) connected to a breadboard with plugins such as inputs, sensors, lights, and displays can be controlled by a code written in the Arduino development environment. How to achieve this is by prototyping with Arduino. Prototyping with Arduino has grown in popularity with the increased use of the Arduino platform. Prototyping with Arduino, however, is not an easy task for nonprogrammers with interest in the field. With increased public interest in the field will come a need for accessible information. This paper presents a methodical literature review intended to intensively analyze and compare existing primary studies on prototyping with Arduino. We found about 130 of such studies, all peer-reviewed and published within the last 15 years, including these years (2015--2020). These studies were tediously and carefully chosen through a three-step process. In this paper, a cautious analysis of selected studies was followed by a clear description of the methods applied. The methods were categorized according to the success rate of the studied prototypes. Results obtained can be used in researches on the best technique to adopt while prototyping with Arduino. They can also be used in electronics researches and by individuals who wish to obtain a guide on prototyping with Arduino despite lacking grounded knowledge of the subject matter. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Computer Science & Engineering, VIT-AP University, Beside AP Secretariat, Near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India (b) School of Electronics Engineering, VIT-AP University, Beside AP Secretariat, Near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 22 September 2020; Accepted 13 January 2021 Byline: Hari Kishan Kondaveeti [kishan.kondaveeti@vitap.ac.in] (a,*), Nandeesh Kumar Kumaravelu (b), Sunny Dayal Vanambathina (b), Sudha Ellison Mathe (b), Suseela Vappangi (b)

Knowledge -- Models and Mechanical engineering -- Models

Keywords: cognitive psychology; knowledge management; model-based systems engineering (MBSE); robotic space systems; system architecture Abstract This study compares the types and quantities of knowledge that are captured by a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach and a traditional architecting approach to measure the benefits of the MBSE approach in managing the complexity of a robotic space system. The MBSE approach was implemented with Cameo Systems Modeler using Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and applied to architecting an orbiting sample Capture and Orient Module (COM) system concept for a Capture, Containment, and Return System payload concept for potential Mars Sample Return. An architecture framework was established, covering system, subsystem, and assembly levels, along with structure, behavior, data, and requirements perspectives. The COM system architecture was captured in parallel using both the MBSE and non-MBSE approaches in order to provide a side-by-side comparison of the approaches. The approaches were evaluated based on how well each represented the information content of the COM system architecture. A total of 4389 knowledge elements were classified using the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy knowledge dimension and used to quantitatively compare the two approaches. The MBSE approach more completely captured architectural knowledge than the non-MBSE approach. Limitations to the SysML-based MBSE approach were also identified, including its ability to fully represent certain high-level conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive knowledge such as design principles, design approaches and rationales, risks, development strategies and rationales, organizational core competencies, and requirement verification methods. The overall results demonstrate the benefits of MBSE in managing the complexity of robotic space systems and strengthen the case for adopting MBSE within the systems engineering community. Biographical information: Jessica E. Cameron is an undergraduate student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, currently working towards a BS in Aerospace Engineering. Previously, she worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory executing various tests and prototyping for Axel and DuAxel robots. Currently, she is thrilled to be assisting with Systems Engineering and Program Management for the Mars Sample Return Campaign. Paulo J. Younse is a robotics engineer in the Robotic Systems Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. His experience resides in mechanical design, machine vision, systems engineering, system architecting, and planetary sample collection. Previous experience includes development of the Mars 2020 rover sample caching architecture and sample tube hermetic seals, work on unmanned underwater vehicles at the Boeing Company, and visual navigation and control for agricultural robots at the University of Florida. He is currently leading development of the Robot Transfer Arm for the Mars Sample Return Capture, Containment, and Return System. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an ME in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Florida. Thomas H. Bradley is Department Head and Woodward Endowed Professor of Systems Engineering in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering at Colorado State University, where he conducts research and teaches a variety of courses in system engineering, multidisciplinary optimization, and design. Dr Bradley's research interests are focused on applications in Automotive and Aerospace System Design, Energy System Management, and Lifecycle Assessment. Byline: Paulo J. Younse, Jessica E. Cameron, Thomas H. Bradley

Keywords: free-flow prototype; MANET; MCC; queueing-up prototype; stochastic Prototyping; VANET; VCC; vehicular cloud Summary Empowering vehicular cloud can be done by having certain snapshot of the quantity of vehicles and their accessibility in a given lane through a model, and in addition, some additional framework, including movement of vehicles. The quantity of vehicles determines the calculation abilities accessible in this area and the traveling time shows the time of validity for a particular lane. Accordingly, in this paper, we do research using stochastic investigation of a few traffic attributes identified with the usage of cloud computing in a street portion to embrace appropriate activity prototypes. In particular, we have two sorts of activity situations that are considered: free-flow movement and queueing- up activity. We utilize a perceptible traffic model to explore the free-flow activity and examine some parameters, for example, activity thickness, vehicles quantity, and living arrangement time. Likewise, we use the queueing- up hypothesis to demonstrate the queue movement; the line length and the holding up time in the line are investigated. The outcomes will be presented for the customers who got struck in road traffic a common problem in all countries to get rid of traffic conditions. By using this, an alternate route will be predicted for the customer which is traffic free while driving. Byline: M. Ramya Devi, Sivakumar Krishnan, S. Lokesh

Embedded system, System on a chip, Programmable logic array, Embedded systems -- Analysis, and Digital integrated circuits -- Analysis

Keywords: FPGA; low-power design; multicrossbar; network-on-chip; priority-based router Summary High performance system-on-chip (SoCs) designs have led to high-density integrated circuits using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for rapid prototyping and reconfigurable digital circuits. Using FPGA reconfigurability, it is possible to design a configurable network-on-chip (NoC) for different applications. NoC architectures provide efficient communication infrastructures for implementing very large SoCs. In this article, we propose HiFMP, a high-performance FPGA-based multicrossbar prioritized NoC router. The aim followed by the proposed router is designing a low-power NoC router with high performance in terms of energy-efficiency, network throughput, area, and latency for efficient FPGA realization. HiFMP is a parameterizable router, and is effectively used for an FPGA-based NoC with mesh topology. Performance evaluations include network-level analysis and hardware exploration; the results demonstrate the effectiveness and high performance of HiFMP in terms of latency, throughput, power consumption, and area, comparing with the existing related architectures. Byline: Mohammad Alaei, Fahimeh Yazdanpanah

Programmable logic array, Electric current converter, Semiconductor device, Capacitors, Digital integrated circuits, Electric current converters, Green technology, Solar energy, and Circuit components

Keywords: AC module; coupled inductor and capacitor multiplier; grid interconnection; high step-up converter; renewable energy; solar power generation system Abstract The solar power generation system is being increasingly connected to the low power distribution system due to its low cost and abundant availability. The interconnection of the solar power generation system demands new and efficient power converters to provide sufficient boost factor for the solar panel output voltage. This paper presents a Modified Coupled Inductor, Capacitor Multiplier (MCICM) direct current (DC)-DC boost converter to provide high boost factor for the solar panel output voltage and to maximize the benefits of the grid-interfacing three-phase three-wire inverter. The fuzzy logic-based DC-link voltage controller and hysteresis current controller (HCC) are also proposed to enhance the power transfer ability of the small power grid-connected inverter. The new topology of boost converter constructed with the coupled inductors, capacitor, and high-frequency transformers is demonstrated through the series of tests carried out with extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulation studies. The SPARTAN 3 field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based prototyping model validated the performance of the proposed topology, experimentally. Byline: Rathika Kannan, Srinath Subbaraman

Computer science -- Analysis and Computer science -- Statistics

Keywords vehicle routing problem; milk-run systems; ordered fuzzy numbers; fuzzy constraint satisfaction problem Highlights * An ordered-fuzzy-number-driven model of a milk-run routing and scheduling problem is proposed. * The sufficient conditions developed allow the possibility to effectively search for admissible solutions. * The proposed model makes it possible to search for congestion-free train routes. * The computer simulation methods used for route prototyping can be replaced by the proposed analytical method. Abstract Internal logistics systems aim at supplying the right materials at the right locations at the right time. This fact creates the need for the design of logistic-train-fleet-oriented, distributed and scalability-robust control policies ensuring deadlock-free operations. This paper presents a solution to a milk-run vehicle routing and scheduling problem subject to fuzzy pick-up and delivery transportation time constraints. Since this type of problem can be treated as a fuzzy constraint satisfaction problem, an elegant solution can be determined using both computer simulation and analytical ordered-fuzzy-number-driven calculations. In contrast to standard fuzzy numbers, the support of a fuzzy number obtained by algebraic operations performed on the ordered fuzzy numbers domain does not expand. The possibility of carrying out algebraic operations is limited to selected domains of the computability of these supports. The proposed sufficient conditions implying the calculability of arithmetic operations guarantee interpretability of the results obtained. Consequently, they confirm the competitiveness of the analytical approach in relation to time-consuming computer-simulation-based calculations of logistic train fleet schedules. Finally, it is demonstrated on the basis of the results obtained in the study that the proposed approach constitutes an effective solution to the problem discussed. In this context, the proposed paper is a continuation of the authors' recent research presented at the International Conference on Computational Science 2020. Author Affiliation: (a) Faculty of Electronics and Computer Science, Koszalin University of Technology, Poland (b) Faculty of Electronics, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland (c) Faculty of Production Engineering and Logistics, Opole University of Technology, Poland (d) Institute of Control and Computation Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, Poland * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 19 September 2020; Revised 5 December 2020; Accepted 24 December 2020 Byline: Grzegorz Bocewicz [grzegorz.bocewicz@tu.koszalin.pl] (a), Zbigniew Banaszak [zbigniew.banaszak@tu.koszalin.pl] (a), Katarzyna Rudnik [k.rudnik@po.opole.pl] (c), Czeslaw Smutnicki [czeslaw.smutnicki@pwr.edu.pl] (b), Marcin Witczak [m.witczak@issi.uz.zgora.pl] (d), Robert Wojcik [robert.wojcik@pwr.edu.pl] (b)

Rapid prototyping -- Analysis

Intensive development of manufacturing technologies, in particular additive technologies, resulted in new possibilities of making cellular structure models. In this paper the cellular structure samples made of polymer resins in the PolyJet Matrix additive technology were investigated. Relaxation tests according to ISO 3384 were carried out. The influence of geometric structure shape on rheological properties was determined and the most favourable geometric variants of cellular structure models were determined. Using Mathematica and Origin software, a statistical analysis of test results was carried out, along with the determination of five-parameter functions approximating the relaxation curves. The rheological model was adopted and its parameters were determined. Keywords: cell structures; PJM; rapid prototyping; rheological properties
1 INTRODUCTION Due to their complex internal structure cellular structures are characterized by good strength properties, both static and dynamic. Moreover, cellular structures exhibit good energy absorption and mechanical vibration [...]

Canada

Keywords Alternatives; Visual programming; Creativity support; Unreal engine; Blueprints; Game development Abstract We present BPAlt -- a system which allows game developers to create and manage alternatives for Unreal Engine's Blueprints Visual Scripting System. BPAlt allows the user to create, save, organize and swap Blueprint alternatives for rapid testing and experimentation. BPAlt also supports level alternatives, alternatives of alternatives through alternative scenarios, and allows merging of alternatives. We conducted a preliminary user study with 10 moderately skilled participants where we compared the usability, usefulness and creativity support of BPAlt to Unreal Engine alone for prototyping alternatives of game objects and mechanics in four different games. The findings suggest that the support for alternatives with the main features of BPAlt is beneficial in the game developers' workflow as it supports exploration particularly well. Author Affiliation: (a) Ubisoft Toronto, Canada (b) Ontario Tech University, Canada * Corresponding author at: Faculty of Business and Information Technology, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada. Article History: Received 27 February 2020; Revised 18 July 2020; Accepted 9 September 2020 Byline: Eric Chu (a), Loutfouz Zaman [loutfouz.zaman@ontariotechu.ca] (b,*)

Keywords Gamification; Game design; Personalized design; Player typology; Tailored game play; GEM Framework; Game element; Game mechanic Highlights * Exploratory factor analysis found factors among player preferences for game elements. * The GEM Framework is based on player's preferences for game elements and mechanics. * This research demonstrates the use of GEM Framework during the game design process. Abstract Existing research in player typologies has presented theories to try and explain players' behavior during gameplay. Many typologies are context or genre specific and therefore are potentially limiting their practicality in other contexts. To date, no existing research categorizes players based on their explicit preferences for game elements and mechanics (GEMs). To this end, an analysis of three surveys (n = 279, n = 231, n = 162), using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed practical insights towards players' preferences for GEMs, specifically three game elements and four game mechanic factors. These results provide the foundation for what is described as the GEM Framework. To investigate their practical use, a game design tool known as Gamicards was modified to accommodate the GEM Framework. Lastly, a workshop (n = 47) assessed the use of the GEM Framework with Gamicards as a tool during the game design and prototyping process. This work extends the current understanding of what GEMs players prefer and discusses the practical implications of using the GEM Framework with Gamicards and player modelling techniques. Author Affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Article History: Received 16 April 2018; Revised 4 July 2020; Accepted 21 July 2020 (footnote)[white star] This paper has been recommended for acceptance by Pieter Spronck. (Where Pieter Spronck.is the name of the Handling Editor). Byline: Lauren S. Ferro

Algorithms -- Analysis and Algorithm

Visualization (Computers)

Keywords Visual programming language; data visualisation; visual grammar Abstract This paper describes a visual programming language for data visualization. This language is designed for students and to prototyping different data visualizations. This language allows to create a graphs by connecting nodes with multiple typed inputs and outputs. Nowadays there are no tools for construction complex data visualizations with understandable user interface. The scope of this paper is to describe a visual programming language for complex data visualizations to address those goals. Author Affiliation: (a) ITMO University, 49, Kronverksky, 197101 Saint-Petersburg, Russia Byline: Egor Ivanov [Egor.Ivanov@institute.xxx] (a), Andrey Karsakov (a)

Machine learning -- Analysis

Keywords Production; Lead Time Prediction; AutoML; Machine Learning Abstract Many Small and Medium Enterprises in the domain of Make-To-Order- and Small-Series-Production struggle with accurately predicting lead times of highly customisable orders. This paper investigates an approach using AutoML integrated into existing enterprise systems in order to enable Lead Time Prediction based on Machine Learning models. This prediction is based on both order data from an ERP system as well as real-time factory state informed by an IIoT platform. We used simulation data to feed the AutoML model generation and developed a lightweight web-based microservice around it to infer lead times of incoming orders during live production. Using industry standards, this microservice can be seamlessly integrated into existing system landscapes. The simplicity of AutoML systems allows for swift (re)training and benchmarking of models but potentially comes at the cost of overall lower model quality. Author Affiliation: (a,b) FZI Research Center for Information Technology, Haid-und-Neu-Strasse 10-14, 76135 Karlsruhe, Germany Byline: Janek Bender [bender@fzi.de] (a), Jivka Ovtcharova (b)

Coronaviruses and COVID-19

Keywords Memory Game; Game Based Learning; Game Design Abstract The gaming industries growths are currently accelerating at a very fast pace and one could say it's already become one of the most impactful industries in the world. In this study, we created a prototype designed to improvise usability, enjoyment, and difficulty game design and to find out whether memory games with a spice of COVID-19 information can provide some fun and to give others awareness in this pandemic event to stay healthy. In current work we did a few steps to achieve the following results, we did study literature to get to know what on current research we gathered a few papers that supported our current work. We did a questionnaire so we can gather the user requirement and we did the prototyping step to purpose our design, and finally, we do the prototype so the audience can get the picture of what writers try to purpose, so hopefully, our target audience can use it and feel the benefit. Finally, our target is to aim for the user who can use our purpose so they can feel the benefit of improving their habit aware of their own hygiene so we can stay healthy in the middle of this Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Finally, our target is to aim for the user who can use our purpose so they can feel the benefit of improving their habit aware of their hygiene so we can stay healthy in the middle of this Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Mobile gaming

Keywords color blind; educational game; gaming experience; mobile game Abstract The purpose of this research was to escalate players' knowledge on color blindness by designing an educational video game which design was oriented to dichromatism color blind. The topic selection was based on the lack of players' deeper knowledge on color blindness. The graphic and gameplay selection on this research was adjusted to the chosen color blind category. Research methods were conducted by analysis, development, and evaluation. Analysis was done by questionnaire. Development was done by game design document, UML, storyboard, and was implemented using Unity Game Engine. Evaluation on 35 players, which are 32 with normal eyes and 3 with color blindness, was done by two approaches, which are t-test and questionnaire. The result of t-test was t(34) = -7.704, p < 0.05 and Enjoyment score on CEGE is 0.763 for normal eyes and 0.651 for colorblind. To conclude, there was an improvement on knowledge from the video game and the design was enjoyable. Author Affiliation: (a,b,c) Computer Science Department, School of Computer Science, Bina Nusantara University, Jl. Kebon Jeruk Raya No. 27 Kemanggisan, Jakarta 11480, Indonesia Byline: Ivan Reinaldo [reinaldoivan30@gmail.com] (a), Nadia Sarah Pulungan [nadiasarahp@gmail.com] (b), Herru Darmadi [hdarmadi@binus.edu] (c)

Company legal issue

The growing complexity of System-on-a-Chips (SoCs) and rapidly decreasing time-to-market have pushed the design abstraction to the electronic system level in order to increase design productivity. SystemC is a widely used electronic system level modeling language that enables quick prototyping and early verification in the SoC design process. The functional correctness of SystemC designs is often one of the greatest concerns in the SoC design process, since undetected design errors may propagate to low-level implementations or even final silicon products, which are costly to fix. However, SystemC verification is a challenging task due to its complex language features such as object-oriented constructs, hardware-oriented data types and concurrency. A variety of approaches have been proposed for SystemC verification in the past two decades. This work systematically investigates the state-of-the-art SystemC verification approaches by discussing their methodologies, advantages, and limitations, as well as presenting comparison among various approaches. Byline: Bin Lin, Fei Xie

Robotics industry, Protocol, Algorithm, Robot, Robotics, Robotics industry, Sensors, Computer network protocols, Algorithms, and Robots

Keywords modular robotics; Swarm robotics; Concurrent control and monitoring; Event scheduling; Centralized/decentralized communication Abstract Rapid prototyping, real-time control and monitoring of various events in robots are crucial requirements for research in the fields of modular and swarm robotics. A large quantities of resources (time, man power, infrastructure, etc.) are often invested in programming, interfacing the sensors, debugging the response to algorithms during prototyping and operational phases of a robot development cycle. The cost of developing an optimal infrastructure to efficiently address such control and monitoring requirements increases significantly in the presence of mobile robots. Though numerous solutions have been developed for minimizing the resources spent on hardware prototyping and algorithm validation in both static and mobile scenarios, it can be observed that researchers have either chosen methodologies that conflict with the power and infrastructure constraints of the research field or generated constrained solutions whose applications are restricted to the field itself. This paper develops a solution for addressing the challenges in controlling heterogeneous mobile robots. A platform named Quanta - a cost effective, energy efficient and high-speed wireless infrastructure is prototyped as a part of the research in the field of modular robotics. Quanta is capable of controlling and monitoring various events in/using a robot with the help of a light-weight communication protocol independent of the robot hardware architecture(s). Author Affiliation: E.E.E Department, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, Goa, 403726, India * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 14 November 2017; Revised 19 August 2019; Accepted 3 January 2020 Byline: CH. S. Sankhar Reddy [sankharreddy@outlook.com] (*), Anita Agrawal [aagrawal@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in], K.R. Anupama [anupkr@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in]

Neural network, Algorithm, Neural networks -- Electric properties, 3D printing -- Electric properties, Antennas (Electronics) -- Electric properties, Algorithms -- Electric properties, and Mathematical optimization -- Electric properties

Keywords: 3D printer; flat gain; multilayer perceptron neural network; reflectarray; wideband; X-band Abstract Reflectarray antenna designs have become an efficient solution alternative to their counterpart designs due to their beam scanning capability, low profile, high gain, and mounting flexibility. Herein, design and realization of a wideband, flat gain multi-layer nonuniform reflectarray (MNURA) using 3D printing technology is presented. Design optimization of the proposed MNURA has been achieved in the two stages: First, a 3D CST Microwave Studio based Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP NN) model establishes the reflection phase characteristic of the MNURA unit element as an accurate continuous function of the geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant. Then Differential Evolutionary Algorithm DEA is selected as a powerful optimization algorithm for determining the optimum geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant of MNURA throughout the X-band to have a large range, wideband, and flat gain RA design. 3D printing technology has been used for prototyping of the proposed MNURA design. Here, the resulted optimum dielectric constant value of 2.2 is realized by 56% infill rate of "Polar White" PLA using the relation between the infill rate and dielectric constant. The prototyped antenna has a total size of 300x300 (mm), and its measured performance characteristics achieve a wideband flat gain of 23.2dBi with a ripple level of almost 1.5dBi and return loss characteristic of less than -10 dB over the operation band of 8 to 12GHz. Article Note: Funding information Yildiz Teknik Universitesi, Grant/Award Numbers: TUBITAK-BIDEB 2011/A, 100/2000 YOK, 3427 Byline: Slawomir Koziel, Anna Pietrenko-Dabrowska, Aysu Belen, Filiz GuneA, Mehmet A. Belen, Peyman Mahouti

Circuit designer, Integrated circuit design, Antennas (Electronics), Microwave devices, Electric waves, Electromagnetic radiation, Electromagnetic waves, Circuit design, and 3D printing

Keywords: active device; Filtenna; frequency selective surface; GSM; ISM; LTE; reconfigurable; wideband Abstract Herein, it is aimed to design an Active Frequency Selective Surface (AFSS) based high performance reconfigurable filtering antenna (Filtenna). The proposed AFSS unit element is consist of a single PIN diode with a simple microstrip patch design which performance characteristics are varies with the state of the diodes. The proposed unit elements have been used to form an array that is placed at the aperture of a double ridge horn antenna. With the variation in state of diodes, the antenna acts as a Filtenna module to filtering the incoming electromagnetic waves in frequency band of 1.8 to 2.8 GHz. From the experimental results, it is shown that the proposed Filtenna achieves a signal attenuation of 7.3 dBi at 2.1 GHz. Biographical information: Omer Kasar received his B.E. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey in 2011; and then received M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in 2015 and 2019 respectively in the same university. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in Artvin Coruh University, Turkey. His research interests include RF Energy Harvesting, Microwave active and passive circuits design and Broadband impedance matching. Mehmet Ali Belen received his Ph.D. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the YA[+ or -]ldA[+ or -]z Technical University in 2016. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in Artvin Coruh University. His current activities include teaching and researching Electromagnetics and Microwaves along with developing Additive Manufacturing 3D Printed Microwave Components for Rapid Prototyping. His current research interests are in the areas of multivariable network theory, device modeling, computer aided microwave circuit design, monolithic microwave integrated circuits, and antenna arrays, active/passive microwave components especially in the field of metamaterial-based antennas and microwave filters. Byline: Omer Kasar, Mehmet A. Belen

Wi-Fi -- Electric properties, Antennas (Electronics) -- Electric properties, Wi-Max -- Electric properties, Computer networks -- Electric properties, Information networks -- Electric properties, and Textile fabrics -- Electric properties

Keywords: circularly polarized; conformal; ISM; jute textile; reconfigurable antenna; Wi-fi; Wi-MAX; W-LAN Abstract This article presents the development of a conformal reconfigurable frequency circularly polarized jute textile antenna, working at 2.4, 3.5, 5.8, and 5.9 GHz in Wi-Fi, Wi-MAX, Industrial, Scientific and Medical radio bands and W-LAN. The antenna topology is based on a semicircular structure as the main radiating component. The conductivity is realized by using copper paint, which was brush-painted. The patch structure is rehashed in another side of the substrate against the ground with a rotation turn 180[degrees]. Two BAR64-03W PIN diodes switches are placed in between a semi-elliptical structure and a rectangular structure on the bottom side of the ground plane. By governing the state of the switches, this antenna can operate at different operating frequencies. Furthermore, the antenna has an accomplished axial ratio (AR) of less than 3 dB for resonating frequencies at all four switching states. Other electromagnetic properties of the proposed jute textile antenna accomplished in simulations were confirmed through the measurement of the antenna in an anechoic chamber. The reconfigurable circularly-polarized jute textile antenna shows a peak gain of 4.93, 5.67, 8.86, and10.07 dBi at 2.4, 3.5, 5.8, and 5.9 GHz (Wi-Fi, Wi-MAX, ISM, W-LAN). Biographical information: D. Ram Sandeep was born in Palasa, a small town renowned for the cashew industry, Andhra Pradesh, India, in 1992. He got received his Bachelor and Master of Technology degrees from JNTUK during the years 2014 and 2017, respectively. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) Deemed to be University, Vaddeswaram, Guntur District, AP, India. His research interests include flexible textile antennas, multiband reconfigurable antennas, circularly polarized MIMO antennas, Medical antennas, Implantable antennas, FSS, and RCS. N. Prabakaran is working as Associate Professor, Dept. of ECE, KLEF (Deemed to be University). He received his ME in Applied Electronics from Sathyabama University, Chennai, in 2007. He received his PhD degree from Sathyabama University. His research interests are in wireless communication, Massive MIMO, and Wireless networks. B. T. P. Madhav received his PhD in the field of antennas from K L E F. Currently, he is working as Professor and Associate Dean at KLU. He has published more than 450+ papers in reputed International, National Journals and Conferences which includes Scopus and SCI publications of 292 with H-Index of 31 and total citations more than 3089. He is a reviewer for famous international journals including IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, Taylor and Francis and acted as a Chair for several International Conferences. His research interests include antennas, liquid crystals applications and wireless communications. He is a member of IEEE and life member of ISTE, IACSIT, IRACST, IAENG, UACEE, and Fellow of IAEME. He is the editorial board member for 36 journals. He authored 15 books and bagged three patents. K. L. Narayana, working as Dean (R&D) & Professor in the Department of ME, KLU. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. From Andhra University, AP, India, in 2006, through research work carried out in Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He has 40+ publications, out of which 29 are SCOPUS & WoS Journals. He got Research Grants and Projects of DST, AICTE, and, DRDO, of the total cost of around Rs. 1.96 crores till 2019, which includes On-going Project sponsored by DST, Government of India. His Areas of Specialization & Fields of Interest are 3D Printing-Rapid Prototyping, Kinematic Analysis, Robotics, Rotor Dynamics & Vibrations, Condition Monitoring and Machine Component Design. Y. Pratapa Reddy was born in AP, India in 1973. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degree from A.U. and JNTU Kakinada respectively. He is pursuing his PhD in K L E F, Deemed to be University, AP, India with Additive Manufacturing specialization (AM). His areas of interest are AM, Material Science, Finite Element Analysis, and Heat Transfer. Byline: D. Ram Sandeep, N. Prabakaran, B. T. P. Madhav, K. L. Narayana, Y. Pratapa Reddy

Algorithm, Visualization (Computers), Machine learning, Astronomy, and Algorithms

Keywords Methods: Data analysis; Methods: Numerical Abstract Scientific visualization tools are currently not optimized to create cinematic, production-quality representations of numerical data for the purpose of science communication. In our pipeline Estra, we outline a step-by-step process from a raw simulation into a finished render as a way to teach non-experts in the field of visualization how to achieve production-quality outputs on their own. We demonstrate feasibility of using the visual effects software Houdini for cinematic astrophysical data visualization, informed by machine learning clustering algorithms. To demonstrate the capabilities of this pipeline, we used a post-impact, thermally-equilibrated Moon-forming synestia from Lock et al., (2018). Our approach aims to identify "physically interpretable" clusters, where clusters identified in an appropriate phase space (e.g. here we use a temperature--entropy phase--space) correspond to physically meaningful structures within the simulation data. Clustering results can then be used to highlight these structures by informing the color-mapping process in a simplified Houdini software shading network, where dissimilar phase--space clusters are mapped to different color values for easier visual identification. Cluster information can also be used in 3D position space, via Houdini's Scene View, to aid in physical cluster finding, simulation prototyping, and data exploration. Our clustering-based renders are compared to those created by the Advanced Visualization Lab (AVL) team for the full dome show "Imagine the Moon" as proof of concept. With Estra, scientists have a tool to create their own production-quality, data-driven visualizations. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1002 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA (b) Advanced Visualization Laboratory, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, 1205 West Clark Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA (c) Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA * Corresponding author at: Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1002 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. Article History: Received 16 July 2020; Accepted 30 August 2020 (footnote)1 Fiddler Innovation Fellow. Byline: P.D. Aleo [paleo2@illinois.edu] (a,b,*,1), S.J. Lock (c), D.J. Cox (b), S.A. Levy (b), J.P. Naiman (b), A.J. Christensen (b), K. Borkiewicz (b), R. Patterson (b)

Usage, Rapid prototyping, Hydrogen peroxide, Enzymes, Electrochemistry, Organic acids, Sensors, Uric acid, Sensors -- Usage, Enzymes -- Usage, Rapid prototyping -- Usage, Electrochemistry -- Usage, Uric acid -- Usage, Organic acids -- Usage, and Hydrogen peroxide -- Usage

Keywords: Non-enzymatic sensor; δ-FeOOH; hydrogen peroxide; electrochemical detection Abstract A non-enzymatic sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2) determination based on Ag/δ-FeOOH nanocomposite immobilized on an all-plastic disposable carbon-based electrochemical cell (DCell) is constructed by a rapid prototyping technique. Ag/δ-FeOOH is synthesized by a simple and reproducible method and its structural and morphological properties characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Ag/δ-FeOOH is successfully immobilized on the DCell, as revealed by SEM images. The electrochemical investigation indicates that the Ag/δ-FeOOH/DCell has a good electrocatalytic response for the H.sub.2O.sub.2 reduction, showing detection limit of 71 [MU]molL.sup.-1 H.sub.2O.sub.2 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and analytical sensitivity of 215.4 [MU]AmM.sup.-1cm.sup.-2. Moreover, Ag/δ-FeOOH/DCell can be used to selectively detect H.sub.2O.sub.2 in the presence of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and ascorbic acid (AA). Finally, Ag/δ-FeOOH/DCell can be used to determine H.sub.2O.sub.2 in fetal bovine serum. The achieved results indicate that the non-enzymatic Ag/δ-FeOOH/DCell is a cost-effective alternative for the determination of H.sub.2O.sub.2. Supporting information: Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. CAPTION(S): Supplementary Byline: Flavio H. A. Meira, Sayton F. Resende, Douglas S. Monteiro, Marcio C. Pereira, Luiz H. C. Mattoso, Ronaldo C. Faria, Andre S. Afonso

Neural networks -- Analysis, Electrical engineering -- Analysis, Neural network, and Electrical engineering

Keywords Convolutional neural network; Hardware acceleration; Rapid system prototyping; Binarization; FPGA Abstract The huge model size and high computational complexity make emerging convolutional neural network (CNN) models unsuitable to deploy on current embedded or edge computing devices. Recently the binary neural network (BNN) is explored to help reduce network model size and avoid complex multiplication. In this paper, a binary network acceleration framework for rapid system prototyping is proposed to promote the deployment of CNNs on embedded devices. Firstly trainable scaling factors are adopted in binary network training to improve network accuracy performance. The hardware/software co-design framework supports various compact network structures such as residual block, 1 x 1 squeeze convolution layer, and depthwise separable convolution. With flexible network binarization and efficient hardware architecture optimization, the acceleration system is able to achieve over 2 TOPS throughput performance comparable to modern desktop GPU with much higher power efficiency. Author Affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China * Corresponding author. Article History: Received 2 December 2019; Revised 19 February 2020; Accepted 8 March 2020 Byline: Zhe Xu [zhexu22-c@my.cityu.edu.hk], Ray C.C. Cheung [r.cheung@cityu.edu.hk] (*)

Teaching -- Usage, Teaching -- Methods, and Teaching -- Study and teaching

Given the ubiquity of interfaces on computing devices, it is essential for future Information Systems (IS) professionals to understand the ramifications of good user interface (UI) design. This article provides instructions on how to efficiently and effectively teach IS students about "fit," a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) concept, through a paper prototyping activity. Although easy to explain, the concept of "fit" can be difficult to understand without repeated practice. Practically, designing "fit" into UIs can be cost-prohibitive because working prototypes are often beyond students' technical skillset. Accordingly, based on principles of active learning, we show how to use paper prototyping to demonstrate "fit" in a hands-on class exercise. We provide detailed stepby-step instructions to plan, setup, and present the exercise to guide students through the process of "fit" in UI design. As a result of this activity, students are better able to employ both theoretical and practical applications of "fit" in UI design and implementation. This exercise is applicable in any course that includes UI design, such as principles of HCI, systems analysis and design, software engineering, and project management. Keywords: Human-computer interaction (HCI), Paper prototyping, Active learning, Constructionism, Teaching tip
1. INTRODUCTION With computing devices peppering nearly every aspect of our lives, how people interact with these technologies is critically important to all computing fields. In fact, failure to properly [...]

3D printing and Robotic surgery

Keywords: additive manufacturing; articulated wrist; decoupled wrist; law of belting; minimally invasive surgery; rapid prototyping; robotic surgical tool; tether drive Abstract Background Dexterous surgical tool wrists used in tele-operated robotic surgery typically have mechanically coupled pitch and yaw degree of freedom (DoF). This leads to complex control requirements. Materials and Methods The design of a robotic surgical tool with a mechanically decoupled dexterous wrist which uses stationary tether guides to guide drive tethers is presented. The tethers are routed through the plane of symmetry of the tool and follow law of belting to mechanically decouple the wrist. An optimization procedure for the placement of the stationary tether guides to minimize the change in tether length is presented. Results Experimental and analytical results confirm the decoupled motion capability of the wrist. Also, the change in length of tether segments over the operating range of motion was found to be very small. Conclusion A prototype has been fabricated through metal 3D printing and integrated to a tele-operated robotic setup to demonstrate its utility in surgical application. Byline: Karthik Chandrasekaran, Asokan Thondiyath

Artificial intelligence, Smart phone, Artificial intelligence, Drone aircraft, Smart phones, Image processing, and Machine learning

Keywords: image processing; machine learning; object detection and recognition; smartphone; unmanned aerial vehicle; image processing; smartphone Abstract Existing artificial intelligence solutions typically operate in powerful platforms with high computational resources availability. However, a growing number of emerging use cases such as those based on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) require new solutions with embedded artificial intelligence on a highly mobile platform. This paper proposes an innovative UAS that explores machine learning (ML) capabilities in a smartphone-based mobile platform for object detection and recognition applications. A new system framework tailored to this challenging use case is designed with a customized workflow specified. Furthermore, the design of the embedded ML leverages TensorFlow, a cutting-edge open-source ML framework. The prototype of the system integrates all the architectural components in a fully functional system, and it is suitable for real-world operational environments such as seek and rescue use cases. Experimental results validate the design and prototyping of the system and demonstrate an overall improved performance compared with the state of the art in terms of a wide range of metrics. Byline: Ignacio Martinez-Alpiste, Pablo Casaseca-de-la-Higuera, Jose M. Alcaraz-Calero, Christos Grecos, Qi Wang