Performance-Based Navigation Flight Path Analysis Using Fast-Time Simulation

The growing demand for air transportation has led to an increase in worldwide air traffic inefficiency due to capacity constraints. The impacts associated with this situation can be reduced through operational changes. To better handle the problem, the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) and the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program suggest Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) as a solution. The Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approaches belong to the group of PBN procedures. These procedures allow for a more efficient use of airspace by reducing route distances, fuel consumption and perceived aircraft noise. This article quantifies the benefits of PBN systems for two indicator parameters—fuel burn and flight time—and compares PBN systems to conventional instrument navigation procedures. The case studies use five airports in Brazil. The results of this analysis show that the benefits of the PBN approach vary with aircraft type and individual route characteristics.

Reducing the Dimensions of the Ship’s Main Switchboard—A Contribution to Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency generally implies the efficient use of energy in all sectors of final consumption—industry, services, agriculture, households and transport. Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the sixth largest CO2 producer in the world. This is a result of inefficient ship design, lack of planning and optimal use of resources. As the transport sector expands, so does the pressure for a greener and cleaner maritime industry. Reducing fuel consumption is a major driver of the need for energy efficiency on ships. In this paper, due to the importance of maritime transport, we observed the impact of reducing the dimensions of the main switchboard as a contribution to energy efficiency. This contribution is not of great importance as is the case with the optimization of the navigation route, etc., but it certainly affects the weight and, thus, the fuel consumption, which contributes to energy efficiency in the designed system. The aim of this paper is to optimize the design of the main switchboard by using 2D simulations of possible bus topologies, in order to develop six different busbar models and find one that best meets the requirements. The simulation results indicate the optimal location and dimensions of the busbars in the main switchboard in accordance with the switchgear parameters. Apart from the change in layout and dimensions of the busbars, the replacement of conventional instrument transformers with new current/voltage sensors contributes to a significant reduction in the weight and size of the switchboard, which ultimately benefits energy efficiency.

Calibration of a Digital Current Transformer Measuring Bridge: Metrological Challenges and Uncertainty Contributions

In this paper, we consider the calibration of measuring bridges for non-conventional instrument transformers with digital output. In this context, the main challenge is represented by the necessity of synchronization between analog and digital outputs. To this end, we propose a measurement setup that allows for monitoring and quantifying the main quantities of interest. A possible laboratory implementation is presented and the main sources of uncertainty are discussed. From a metrological point of view, technical specifications and statistical analysis are employed to draw up a rigorous uncertainty budget of the calibration setup. An experimental validation is also provided through the thorough characterization of the measurement accuracy of a commercial device in use at METAS laboratories. The proposed analysis proves how the calibration of measuring bridges for non-conventional instrument transformers requires ad hoc measurement setups and identifies possible space for improvement, particularly in terms of outputs’ synchronization and flexibility of the generation process.

Toward a Substation Automation System Based on IEC 61850

With the global trend to digitalize substation automation systems, International Electro technical Commission 61850, a communication protocol defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission, has been given much attention to ensure consistent communication and integration of substation high-voltage primary plant assets such as instrument transformers, circuit breakers and power transformers with various intelligent electronic devices into a hierarchical level. Along with this transition, equipment of primary plants in the switchyard, such as non-conventional instrument transformers, and a secondary system including merging units are expected to play critical roles due to their fast-transient response over a wide bandwidth. While a non-conventional instrument transformer has advantages when compared with the conventional one, extensive and detailed performance investigation and feasibility studies are still required for its full implementation at a large scale within utilities, industries, smart grids and digital substations. This paper is taking one step forward with respect to this aim by employing an optimized network engineering tool to evaluate the performance of an Ethernet-based network and to validate the overall process bus design requirement of a high-voltage non-conventional instrument transformer. Furthermore, the impact of communication delay on the substation automation system during peak traffic is investigated through a detailed simulation analysis.

Design and Evaluation of a Dexterous and Modular Hand-Held Surgical Robot for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Current surgical instruments with fewer degrees-of-freedom (DOF) for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have limited capability to perform complicated and precise procedures, such as suturing and knot-tying. To address such a problem, a modular dexterous hand-held surgical robot with an ergonomic handle and 4DOF interchangeable instruments was developed. The kinematic arrangement of the instrument and that of the handle were designed to be the same. A compact roll-yaw-roll transmission was proposed applying cable-driven mechanism. Performance experiments were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall system. The measured grip forces of the robot ranged from 8.63 N to 19.18 N. The suturing performance score of the robot was significantly higher than that of the conventional instrument (28.8 ± 5.02 versus 17.2 ± 7.43, p = 0.041). The trajectory tracking test and animal experiment verified the accuracy and feasibility of the robot. The proposed robot could improve the surgical performance of MIS, providing various end-effectors and having an intuitive interface in the meantime.

PENGARUH INSTRUMEN SERTIFIKAT BANK INDONESIA (SBI), PASAR UANG ANTAR BANK (PUAB), SERTIFIKAT BANK INDONESIA SYARIAH (SBIS), PASAR UANG ANTAR BANK SYARIAH (PUAS) TERHADAP M2 DI INDONESIA PERIODE 2009-2016

This study aims to determine to know the relationship of short term and long term of dualism monetary instrument, in conventional there is SBI, and PUAB, money supply (M2) and in islamic instrument there is SBIS,PUAS and money supply (M2). The approach used is a quantitative approach using VAR/VECM. The results of the analysis most contribution most retrieved from M2 variable. While conventional instrument rated the more stable and able to provide higer valure campared to islamic instruments. The result showed that variable of SBIhave positive significant corelation in long term and has contributions reached 10,1%. PUAB variable showed that have significant in long term by giving contribution of 4,68%. Next in islamic instrument, SBIS significant on long term by providing a contribution amount 1,01%, while PUAS have a significant in long term with contribution reached 25,27%. The results of the analysis most contribution most retrieved from M2 variable.