IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 48,  Number 2, April 2001           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                Special Section on Microsensors and Microsystems for Harsh Environments
48.2.1    W.R. Fahrner, M.R. Werner, "Guest editorial special section on microsensors and microsystems in harsh environments," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 247-248, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Not Available

48.2.2    M.R. Werner, W.R. Fahrner, "Review on materials, microsensors, systems and devices for high-temperature and harsh-environment applications," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 249-257, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The considerable investment in silicon technology has rarely addressed device use in harsh environments such as high temperatures, aggressive media, and radiation exposure. A clear future requirement is to save weight, volume, and reduce costs in “unfriendly” environments like high temperatures. This can be achieved either by cooling systems or by electronic microsystem components suited to withstand high temperatures. The current status of cooling systems, harsh-environment sensors, and microsystems in view of markets, realized devices, material, properties, process maturity, and packaging technologies are reviewed. Possible semiconductor candidates for high-temperature applications are discussed. The main obstacles for the future of high-temperature and harsh-environment microsystems is highlighted

48.2.3    J.W. Mrosk, L. Berger, C. Ettl, H.-J. Fecht, G. Fischerauer, A. Dommann, "Materials issues of SAW sensors for high-temperature applications ," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 258-264, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The technology of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices allows the integration of signal processing and sensor functions within one product. In the past, SAW sensors have been operated at room temperature or 100°C-200°C at most, material-related problems become obvious if one attempts to increase this operating temperature to a value as high as 1000°C. First experimental results are presented based on a variation of the metallization and the use of diffusion barriers. It is expected that the use of these specially tailored materials with particular functional properties will lend to a considerable improvement of the lifetime and reliability of SAW sensors and the development of devices resistant to high temperatures as well as high pressures and chemically aggressive environments. The high-temperature characteristics of such novel devices are investigated by finite-element simulation and by experimental deformation analysis. Which assembly, interconnection, and packaging techniques are applicable at 1000°C are also discussed

48.2.4    W.-E. Bulst, G. Fischerauer, L. Reindl, "State of the art in wireless sensing with surface acoustic waves ," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 265-271, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Surface acoustic wave (SAW) passive devices can be used in novel applications such as wireless identification and sensing. For identification purposes, a SAW transponder picks up an electromagnetic request signal and stores it until all echoes caused by multipath propagation have died away. Then, a characteristic response is beamed back to the receiver. In radio-link sensors, a physical or chemical quantity influences the propagation properties of the SAW and consequently changes the response pattern of the device. This paper surveys the operating principle of such sensors and their state-of-the-art performance. Examples include temperature sensors and sensors for mechatronic applications

48.2.5    L. Demeus, V. Dessard, A. Viviani, S. Adriaensen, D. Flandre, "Integrated sensor and electronic circuits in fully depleted SOI technology for high-temperature applications," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 272-280, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The electrical characteristics of devices and circuits realized in CMOS technology on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates and operated at elevated temperatures are presented and compared with results obtained using other materials (bulk Si, GaAs, SiC). It is demonstrated that fully depleted CMOS on SOI is the most suitable process for the realization of complex electronic circuits to be operated in high-temperature environments, up to more than 300°C

48.2.6    J. Schutze, H. Ilgen, W.R. Fahrner, "An integrated micro cooling system for electronic circuits," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 281-285, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A fully FR4-compatible integrated cooling system has been developed. Cooling channels have been etched into a thick copper layer to form microchannels. The structure is reinforced by two prepreg layers toward the component and solder side. Several cooling channels can be independently run. The heat dissipation capability of the system is 20 W per channel (and heat source). Typical coolants are water or methoxynonafluorobutane. For an outlet to inlet temperature difference of 25°C and a power dissipation of 30 W, a (water) flow rate of 20 ml/min is required. Pressure losses are below 300 mbar (for water)

48.2.7    D. Lorenzen, J. Bonhaus, W.R. Fahrner, E. Kaulfersch, E. Worner, P. Koidl, K. Unger, D. Muller, S. Rolke, H. Schmidt, M. Grellmann, "Micro thermal management of high-power diode laser bars," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 286-297, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Lifetime and reliability of high-power diode laser bars are sensitively related to operating temperature, mounting stress, and solder electromigration. These three factors have been taken into account for the development of a new packaging technology for 1 cm laser bars of gallium arsenide. We examine the use of chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) diamond as heatspreaders in order to reduce thermal resistance of a microchannel cooler for liquid cooling. We show that it is possible to perform hard soldering on a CVD-diamond with a new technique. Additionally, we present a controlled water cooling system fit to the flow characteristics of the cooler. It permits one to adjust the emission wavelength of the diode lasers by changing the water flux

48.2.8    H. Baumann, P. Heinemeyer, W. Staiger, M. Topfer, K. Unger, D. Muller, "Optimized cooling systems for high-power semiconductor devices," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 298-306, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Straightforward air cooling of semiconductor devices has gradually been replaced by methods using liquid coolants, especially water cooling. In this paper, more advanced cooling devices for hockey-puck-type and module-type semiconductors are suggested. An established heat sink made of aluminum nitride for the water cooling of hockey-puck-type semiconductors has been used as a basis for the development of high-performance heat sinks for increased heat flux densities. By means of thermal and fluid dynamics simulation tools the internal geometry has been optimized with regard to improved heat transfer and reduced pressure drop. The simulation results have been confirmed by a number of experiments using various measuring techniques. As an alternative cooling method for semiconductor modules, a modified baseplate comprising a number of fins for direct water cooling has been suggested. For an intelligent temperature management control algorithms have been developed, resulting in a prototype application-specific integrated circuit which has been implemented for test purposes

48.2.9    W. Wondrak, R. Held, E. Niemann, U. Schmid, "SiC devices for advanced power and high-temperature applications ," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 307-308, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) process technology has made rapid progress, resulting in the realization of very promising electronic devices and sensors, enabling advanced solutions in power industry and mobile systems. In particular, for electronics working under harsh environmental conditions, SiC devices reach unprecedented performance. Transfer to production has already started for some applications

48.2.10    Byoung-Kuk Lee, M. Ehsami, "A simplified functional simulation model for three-phase voltage-source inverter using switching function concept," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 309-321, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a functional simulation model for the voltage-source inverter (VSI) using the switching function concept is studied and the actual implementation of the model is proposed with the help of Matlab Simulink. Also, this concept is extended to the voltage-doubler-type pulse width-modulated (PWM) AC-DC rectifier and the PWM AC-DC-AC converter. With the developed functional model, the simplification of the static power circuits can be achieved so that the convergence and long run-time problems can be solved. Also, in the functional model, the design parameters, such as voltage and current ratings of the power semiconductor switches and load current, can be easily calculated. The general switching function concept is reviewed in brief and the proposed functional models for the VSI, voltage-doubler rectifier, and PWM AC-DC-AC converter and their implementations using Matlab Simulink are explained in detail. Also, several informative simulation results verify the validity of the proposed models


Power Electronics
48.2.11    F.T. Wakabayashi, M.J. Bonato, C.A. Canesin, "Novel high-power-factor ZCS-PWM preregulators," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 322-333, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper introduces novel zero-current-switching (ZCS) pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) preregulators based on a new soft-commutation cell, suitable for insulated gate bipolar transistor applications. The active switches in these proposed rectifiers turn on in zero current and turn off in zero current-zero voltage. In addition, the diodes turn on in zero voltage and their reverse-recovery effects over the active switches are negligible. Moreover, based on the proposed cell, an entire family of DC-to-DC ZCS-PWM converters can be generated, providing conditions to obtain naturally isolated converters, for example, derived buck-boost, Sepic and Zeta converters. The novel AC-to-DC ZCS-PWM boost and Zeta preregulators are presented in order to verify the operation of this soft-commutation cell. In order to minimize the harmonic contents of the input current, increasing the AC power factor the average-current-mode control is used, obtaining preregulators with AC power factor near unity and high efficiency at wide load range. The principle of operation, theoretical analysis, design example, and experimental results from test units for the novel preregulators are presented. The new boost preregulator was designed to nominal values of 1.6 kW output power, 220 Vrms input voltage, 400 Vdc output voltage, and operating at 20 kHz. The measured efficiency and power factor of the new ZCS-PWM boost preregulator were 96.7% and 0.99, respectively, with an input current total harmonic distortion (THD) equal to 3.42% for an input voltage with THD equal to 1.61%, at rated load

48.2.12    P. Mattavelli, G. Escobar, A.M. Stankovic, "Dissipativity-based adaptive and robust control of UPS," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 334-343, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the output voltage control for a three-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) using controllers based on ideas of dissipativity. To provide balanced sinusoidal output voltages, even in the presence of nonlinear and unbalanced loads, we first derive a dissipativity-based controller using a frequency-domain representation of system dynamics. Adaptive refinements have been added to the controller to cope with parametric uncertainties. Second, based on the first adaptive controller, we propose a controller which turns out to have the proportional-plus-integral-type structure on rotating-frame variables, but with a special design of gain matrices. A sufficient condition in terms of the design parameters is presented for this controller that guarantees stability of the desired equilibrium and robustness against parameter uncertainties. Finally, simulation and experimental results on a three-phase prototype show effectiveness and advantages of the proposed approach

48.2.13    Chen-Chang Liu, Horng-Bin Hsu, Shin-Tai Lo, Chern-Lin Chen, "An energy-recovery sustaining driver with discharge current compensation for AC plasma display panel," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 344-351, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A novel driver with discharge current compensation is proposed to drive an AC plasma display panel (PDP). This proposed circuit uses resonance between the inductor and the AC PDP to avoid abrupt charging/discharging. The four switches of the full bridge are all operated with zero-voltage-switching turn-on. In addition, an 8-in AC PDP equipped with the proposed driving circuit, operating at 100 kHz, is investigated. With the discharge current compensation, the experimental results show that the proposed driver can maintain the AC PDP to light at lower voltage (129 V)

48.2.14    Guan-Chyun Hsieh, Chang-Hua Lin, "Harmonized strategy for breaking the striations in the fluorescent lamp," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 352-366, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A harmonized strategy for breaking the striations in the fluorescent lamp is proposed. The harmonized circuit (HC) presented is a dependent current source and is used to modulate the lamp current by making the amplitudes of the even harmonics nearly the same as the neighboring odd harmonics. The time and frequency responses of the lamp current without and with HC are respectively simulated and experimented for describing the striation behavior. The dimmer system with HC can actually provide better immunity from striation for the lamp during a wide dimming range from 10% to 100%. In addition, the lighting efficiency increases up to 16.2%

48.2.15    D. Li, R. Tymerski, T. Ninomiya, "PECS-an efficient solution for simulating switched networks with nonlinear elements," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 367-376, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: PECS (Power Electronics Circuit Simulator) enables the time-domain simulation of switched networks that may contain nonlinear elements. Focus has been placed not only on obtaining high speed, but also on achieving a very high degree of accuracy. A set of optimized computer algorithms that have been incorporated into PECS to achieve these objectives are explained. Examples run, which include a power-factor correction circuit containing a multiplier/divider element, have shown over an order of magnitude speed advantage over other leading approaches


Drive Control
48.2.16    Jung-Hwan Kim, Byung-Ro Moon, "Adaptive elevator group control with cameras," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 377-382, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new elevator group control system is proposed. The system learns dynamic traffic flows by analyzing passenger traffic without prespecified patterns. A genetic algorithm continuously generates dispatch functions according to changes in passenger traffic. By considering the status inside elevators, the directions of passenger movement, and the number of waiting passengers, the system occasionally allocates multiple elevators for a single hall call, which assists in reducing passengers' waiting time. Experimental results showed up to 25% improvement over a system without the above features

48.2.17    L. Harnefors, "Design and analysis of general rotor-flux-oriented vector control systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 383-390, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Reduced-order observers for rotor flux estimation of induction motors are considered. The “current” model and “voltage” model are obtained as special cases. It is shown that the flux dynamics form a nonlinear closed-loop system when the flux estimate is used for field orientation. The observer gain selection is extremely critical for good behavior of this system. A framework is developed, in which the properties of any gain selection can easily be assessed. Four candidate gain selections are considered, two of which yield schemes that do not use the rotor speed in their equations (inherently sensorless schemes). It is also shown that for any gain selection, an equivalent synchronous-frame implementation (i.e., indirect field orientation) always exists

48.2.18    An-Ming Lee, Li-Chen Fu, Chin-Yu Tsai, Yu-Chao Lin, "Nonlinear adaptive speed and torque control of induction motors with unknown rotor resistance," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 391-401, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a nonlinear adaptive speed and torque controller of induction motors with unknown rotor resistance. All the system parameters except rotor resistance are assumed to be known, and only the stator currents and rotor speed are assumed to be available. The desired speed and torque should be a smooth bounded function. A complete proof of the global stability without singularity is given, and the output error will converge to zero asymptotically. Finally, the simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller

48.2.19    T. Senjyu, T. Shingaki, K. Uezato, "Sensorless vector control of synchronous reluctance motors with disturbance torque observer," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 402-407, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The elimination of the position sensor has been one important requirement in vector control systems because the position sensor spoils the reliability and simplicity of drive systems. Therefore, we present a sensorless vector control technique for synchronous reluctance motors. The rotor position is calculated easily from ds-qs-axes flux linkages which are estimated with a first-order lag compensator. Furthermore, utilizing estimated rotor position as the input of the full-order observer, the rotor speed and disturbance torque are estimated. The proposed sensorless vector control scheme is demonstrated with experimental results

48.2.20    Gou-Jen Wang, Chuan-Tzueng Fong, K.J. Chang, "Neural-network-based self-tuning PI controller for precise motion control of PMAC motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 408-415, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In general, proportional plus integral (PI) controllers used in computer numerically controlled machines possess fixed gain. They may perform well under some operating conditions, but not all. To increase the robustness of fixed-gain PI controllers, we propose a new neural-network-based self-tuning PI control system. In this new approach, a well-trained neural network supplies the PI controller with suitable gain according to each operating condition pair (torque, angular velocity, and position error) detected. To demonstrate the advantages of our proposed neural-network-based self-tuning PI control technique, both computer simulations and experiments were executed in this research. During the computer simulation, the direct experiment method was adopted to better model the problem of hysteresis in the AC servo motor. In real experiments, a PC-based controller was used to carry out the control tasks. Results of both computer simulations and experiments show that the newly developed dynamic PI approach outperforms the fixed PI scheme in rise time, precise positioning, and robustness


Robotics and Vision
48.2.21    Young-Kiu Choi, Min-Jung Lee, Sungshin Kim, Young-Chul Kay, "Design and implementation of an adaptive neural-network compensator for control systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 416-423, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Recently, many studies have been made for intelligent controls using the neural-network (NN). These NN approaches for control strategies are based on the concept of replacing the conventional controller with a new NN controller. However, it is usually difficult and unreliable to replace the factory-installed controller with another controller in the workplace. In this case, it is desirable to install an additional outer control loop around the conventional control system to compensate for the control error of the preinstalled conventional control system. This paper presents an adaptive NN compensator for the outer loop to compensate for the control errors of conventional control systems. The proposed adaptive NN compensator generates a new command signal to the conventional control system using the control error that is the difference between the desired reference input and the actual system response. The proposed NN-compensated control system is adaptable to the environment changes and is more robust than the conventional control systems. Experimental results for a SCARA-type manipulator show that the proposed adaptive NN compensator enables the conventional control system to have precise control performance


Signal Processing and Control
48.2.22    R. Safaric, M. Debevc, R.M. Parkin, S. Uran, "Telerobotics experiments via Internet," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 424-431, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Many enterprises experience difficulty in training people to work with expensive equipment, which is needed for carrying out profitable work tasks (e.g., production line robots). Similar problems are found when work is of a complex and safety-critical nature (e.g., nuclear environments, explosive placement, surgery). This paper describes a method of education and training involving offline usage of virtual environments for task planning. When tasks are developed to the satisfaction of the trainee, they are exported to remote physical hardware, via the Internet, for real-world execution. Development of the system and the training experiments is discussed, along with some of the issues raised for telerobotics and solutions to the problem of detecting collisions in the virtual world. The approach has been shown to be viable and increases the education and training possibilities for key workers while maintaining a low cost of ownership. The downtime of mission-critical equipment is minimized while the gaining of valuable experience is maximized

48.2.23    Sinn Kim, Jong-Hwan Kim, "Adaptive fuzzy-network-based C-measure map-matching algorithm for car navigation system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 432-441, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Most car navigation systems estimate the car position from dead reckoning and the Global Positioning System (GPS). However, because of the unknown GPS noise, the estimated position has an undesirable error. To solve this problem, a map-matching method is introduced, which uses a digital road map to correct the position error. In this paper, a novel adaptive-fuzzy-network-based C-measure algorithm is proposed, which can find the exact road on which a car moves. The C-measure algorithm is easy to calculate, and calculation time does not increase exponentially with the increase of junctions. For the experiments, a car navigation system is implemented with a small number of sensors. The real road experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed algorithm and the developed car navigation system

48.2.24    A. Scottedward Hodel, C.E. Hall, "Variable-structure PID control to prevent integrator windup," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 442-451, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, the authors propose a new variable-structure (switching) method for the prevention of proportional-integral-derivative controller integrator windup in both continuous and discrete-time implementations. The method is easily implemented and tuned by practicing engineers. This new method is compared with several existing methods for the prevention of integrator windup


Factory Automation
48.2.25    Kit-Sang Tang, Kim-Fung Man, S. Kwong, "Wireless communication network design in IC factory," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 452-459, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) is designed for an IC factory in Hong Kong using the hierarchical genetic algorithm (HGA). The HGA is capable of handling multiobjective functions and discrete constraints. Because of this uniqueness, together with the adoption of a Pareto ranking scheme, a solution can be reached even when skewed multiobjective functions and constraints confinements are being imposed. It has been found from this study that a precise number of base stations can be identified for the WLAN network, while it can satisfy a number of objectives and constraints. This added feature provides a further design tradeoff between cost and performance at no extra effort

48.2.26    Kwang-Hyun Cho, Jong-Tae Lim, "Multiagent supervisory control for antifault propagation in serial production systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 460-466, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a multiagent supervisory control methodology is proposed for antifault propagation in serial production systems by incorporating the idea of multiagent control within the fault-tolerant supervisory control scheme. Especially, the concept of antifault propagation between cascaded processes is established and the synthesis of agent supervisors is investigated based on this concept. A case study of a polypropylene polymerization process in the petrochemical industry is provided to illustrate the proposed control policy


Emerging Technology
48.2.27    Sung Hoe Kim, Chongkug Park, F. Harashima, "A self-organized fuzzy controller for wheeled mobile robot using an evolutionary algorithm," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 467-474, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Designing the controller of a wheeled mobile robot is not as easy as might be supposed, on account of nonholonomic constraints. To overcome such difficulties and gain more accurate position and velocity control, a self-organized fuzzy controller is proposed. To find solutions of optimal fuzzy input and output membership functions and to determine a rule base, an evolutionary process is proposed. The procedure that derives this solution is composed of three steps, each step having its own unique evolutionary process. The elements of an output term set are increased first, and then the rule base is varied according to increase of the elements. The varied fuzzy system competes with a system that has no element increase. If the varied fuzzy system loses in competition, then the system naturally disappears. On the other hand, if the varied system survives, the fitness with each increased element of the output term set and rule base is tested and unnecessary parts are removed. After having finished regulation of output term set and rule base, searching for input membership functions is processed with constraints to reduce the unsuitability of the system. The searching constraints do not produce a 0 membership value for any input. After completing the search for the input membership function, fine tuning of output membership functions is processed


Letters to the Editor
48.2.28    A. Okuno, L. Gamage, M. Nakaoka, "Performance evaluations of high-frequency inverter-linked DC/DC converter with noncontact pickup coil," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 475-477, April 2001.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This letter presents performance evaluations of an inductive coupling power transferring system using a current-source high-frequency transformer resonant inverter which is designed for an electric conveyance. The performance is evaluated on the basis of circuit analysis and feasible experiments. This power conversion system can implement an innovative noncontact power transfer from the viewpoints of less maintenance, controllability, safety, and clean performance