Robust Control Design using Micro-Actuators. Recent advances in micro-actuators have enabled many new applications in complex systems. Examples include ultra-high density disk drives, low-cost vibration tables, and micro-robotic systems. However, control design for these systems is very challenging because the micro-actuators have severely limited dynamic ranges and strong couplings. The proposed project aims to study new control design approaches for these complex systems. The work will focus o ....Robust Control Design using Micro-Actuators. Recent advances in micro-actuators have enabled many new applications in complex systems. Examples include ultra-high density disk drives, low-cost vibration tables, and micro-robotic systems. However, control design for these systems is very challenging because the micro-actuators have severely limited dynamic ranges and strong couplings. The proposed project aims to study new control design approaches for these complex systems. The work will focus on both theoretical studies and experimental applications of such systems. The outcome of the project will help put Australia in a more advanced position in this niche area of leading age technology.Read moreRead less
Designing an Intelligent Process Operation Management System. The complexity and sophistication of current generation of industrial processes, and the growing need for autonomous agents that control physical systems, motivate the need for the development of an intelligent process operation management system. In this project, the innovative integration of theories from different scientific fields (computer systems, process engineering, systems and control engineering) provides an excellent platfo ....Designing an Intelligent Process Operation Management System. The complexity and sophistication of current generation of industrial processes, and the growing need for autonomous agents that control physical systems, motivate the need for the development of an intelligent process operation management system. In this project, the innovative integration of theories from different scientific fields (computer systems, process engineering, systems and control engineering) provides an excellent platform for development of a smart data management tool, to oversee the major operational tasks within the plant and help the operators and engineers to make more informed decisions. Direct application of the techniques developed in this study to a pilot case study, could be used as a benchmark to show the potential benefits that can be gained through smart information use and data management.Read moreRead less
The mathematics and language of engineering uncertainty, preference and utility. Australian engineering firms are principals in many high-profile projects. To defend their position, they must demonstrate both sound engineering and quality processes, which by international standards includes the traceability of decisions. Yet, there are few tools to vet the multitude of decisions that go into large-scale engineering works. This project aims to form mathematical models of decision-making based on ....The mathematics and language of engineering uncertainty, preference and utility. Australian engineering firms are principals in many high-profile projects. To defend their position, they must demonstrate both sound engineering and quality processes, which by international standards includes the traceability of decisions. Yet, there are few tools to vet the multitude of decisions that go into large-scale engineering works. This project aims to form mathematical models of decision-making based on the language modelling of what is written in engineering documentation about the bases of decisions. The new methods will help decision makers to pinpoint irrationalities in decisions and notify them of possible errors. The research can therefore be applied to important problems in the engineering sector such as risk management.Read moreRead less
Application of Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) Technology to Intelligent Design Engineering Systems. Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) is a systematic approach to the integration of design and manufacturing of products and their related processes, from concept to disposal. Typical for KBE applications is that it accepts design rules and procedures. This makes the design process more efficient, which reduces development cost and product lead time. It also enables knowledge and experience to be ....Application of Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) Technology to Intelligent Design Engineering Systems. Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) is a systematic approach to the integration of design and manufacturing of products and their related processes, from concept to disposal. Typical for KBE applications is that it accepts design rules and procedures. This makes the design process more efficient, which reduces development cost and product lead time. It also enables knowledge and experience to be captured and retained which reduces training cost and makes new staff more effective. The aim of the project is to develop a KBE environment for wire and conduit routing through complex structures and verify the benefits in an industry environment.Read moreRead less
Fault tolerant multisensor feedback control. This project will advance knowledge by deepening the theoretical understanding of the interplay between multisensory data and feedback control mechanisms. It will also expand the tool sets of control engineering with innovative multisensory control designs. We see major benefits for Australia arising from this project both by enhancing its scientific reputation and by promoting technological advances in its industries and services. The project has pot ....Fault tolerant multisensor feedback control. This project will advance knowledge by deepening the theoretical understanding of the interplay between multisensory data and feedback control mechanisms. It will also expand the tool sets of control engineering with innovative multisensory control designs. We see major benefits for Australia arising from this project both by enhancing its scientific reputation and by promoting technological advances in its industries and services. The project has potential to contribute to the National Research Priority area: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries, since it has direct impact on the relevant areas of biotechnology, information, communication technology, nanotechnology and sensor technology.Read moreRead less
Multi-Ontologies meet UML: Improving the Software Engineering of Multi-Agent Systems. Multi-agent systems are a new style of software well suited for open, dynamic, distributed, global, heterogeneous environments such as the Internet. Systematic methods are needed to allow multi-agent systems to reason effectively with high level knowledge. This research draws on software engineering practice to develop a theory and methodology for multi-ontologies for expressing knowledge within multi-agent sys ....Multi-Ontologies meet UML: Improving the Software Engineering of Multi-Agent Systems. Multi-agent systems are a new style of software well suited for open, dynamic, distributed, global, heterogeneous environments such as the Internet. Systematic methods are needed to allow multi-agent systems to reason effectively with high level knowledge. This research draws on software engineering practice to develop a theory and methodology for multi-ontologies for expressing knowledge within multi-agent systems that facilitate adaptation and change.
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SmartData: developing intelligent database system for communicating information to aviation and professional vehicle operators: towards safer transport industries. Detriments in human functional state is a major problem in the 'round the clock' transportation industries such as heavy-vehicle industry and aviation. The repetitive and monotonous nature of the tasks in these environments lead to fatigue, inattention and stress. This project proposes a unique and innovative SmartData system that w ....SmartData: developing intelligent database system for communicating information to aviation and professional vehicle operators: towards safer transport industries. Detriments in human functional state is a major problem in the 'round the clock' transportation industries such as heavy-vehicle industry and aviation. The repetitive and monotonous nature of the tasks in these environments lead to fatigue, inattention and stress. This project proposes a unique and innovative SmartData system that will interact with operators and their working environment to counteract detriments in human performance. The proposed SmartData system will have the capabilities of alerting and warning of potentially hazardous situations associated with degradations in human performance. This innovative project aims to improve the safety culture of two major transportation sectors.Read moreRead less
Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial ne ....Investigating the Effects of Network-Induced Delays on Networked Control Systems. Networked control is the current trend for industrial automation. The results of this project will be the first in the world to contribute directly to a deeper understanding of both negative and positive effects of network-induced delays on networked control systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing cutting edge technology for reliability and efficiency of industrial networked-based control systems. This novel frontier technology will result in cost-saving and improved productivity for Australian industries, e.g. manufacturing industries, power stations, processing industries, automotive industries, vehicular networks and locomotives.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring for Multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems. In the next five years, four Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) will be developed to foster the wide applications of satellite navigation in our daily life. These new developments can certainly offer a variety of economic, scientific and social opportunities for Australia. This research project will develop a theoretically sound integrity monitoring procedure for the new generat ....Dynamic Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring for Multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems. In the next five years, four Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) will be developed to foster the wide applications of satellite navigation in our daily life. These new developments can certainly offer a variety of economic, scientific and social opportunities for Australia. This research project will develop a theoretically sound integrity monitoring procedure for the new generation GNSS receivers to check their own navigation performance. The contribution from this research, which is patentable, will bring a timely opportunity for local industry to develop new products towards a massive worldwide market and serve Australian users as well.Read moreRead less
Variable Structure Control Systems in Networked Environments. This project will be the first in the world to lay the foundation for a new theory for understanding and designing new variable structure control systems in the networked environments, which is in great need due to increasing use of shared communication networks in modern industrial systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing a cutting edge technology for improving reliability and efficiency ....Variable Structure Control Systems in Networked Environments. This project will be the first in the world to lay the foundation for a new theory for understanding and designing new variable structure control systems in the networked environments, which is in great need due to increasing use of shared communication networks in modern industrial systems. It will firmly place Australia at the forefront of this research by developing a cutting edge technology for improving reliability and efficiency of industrial variable structure control systems in the networked environments, hence resulting in cost-saving and improved productivity for industry. It will provide training for new leading researchers specialised in this new theory and technology.Read moreRead less