Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents techniques for a component-based style of programming in the context of higher-oder attribute grammars (HAG). Attribute grammar components are "plugged in" into larger attribute grammar systems through higher-order attribute grammars. Higher-order attributes are used as (intermediate) "gluing" data structures. This paper also presents two attribute grammar components that can be re-used across different language-based tool specifications: a visualizer and animator of programs and a graphical user interface AG component. Both components are reused in the definition of a simple language processor. The techniques presented in this paper are implemented in LRC: a purely functional, higher-order attribute grammar-based system that generates language-based tools.

Abstract
An amplitude-phase-conversion self-referencing technique for intensity-modulated photonic sensors that uses two different-wavelength fiber Bragg gratings is presented. With this technique, the system response has been demonstrated to be almost unafffected by network power variations as high as 90%, of the total power launched by the source. We prove the multiplexing capability of this type of self-referenced fiber sensor by wavelength-division multiplexing two of them in a star network. A tunable fused biconical wavelength-division multiplexer is used for sensor addressing at the detection block, providing both good isolation and low cross-talk values. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.

Abstract
The manufacturing system environment is typically, a complex system, involving many variables and constraints, being in certain cases a chaotic system. The introduction of new paradigms to face globalisation, distribution of activities and customer satisfaction requirements, increases the problem complexity. The new manufacturing control approaches should support the agile adaptation to volatile technological and economical environments and should react dynamically and quickly to disturbances, This paper intends to introduce an agent-based approach to the manufacturing problem, that uses holonic concepts, is focused on distributed manufacturing shop floor control for discrete batch production, considers the optimisation of set-up and maintenance operations, and develops mechanisms for agile and fast reaction to disturbances without compromising the global production optimisation.

Abstract
The nonlinear Debye screening associated with the trapped ion population around a negatively charged dust particle immersed in a plasma is considered here. The analogy between the dressed dust particle in a plasma and an atomic system is explored. It is shown that, in certain limits, the system is described by a Thomas-Fermi-type of wave equation.

Abstract
Broadcast networks that are characterised by having different physical layers (PhL) demand some kind of traffic adaptation between segments, in order to avoid traffic congestion in linking devices. In many LANs, this problem is solved by the actual linking devices, either behaving like gateways or "intelligent bridges" that use some kind of congestion control/avoidance mechanism. In this paper, we address the case of token-passing fieldbus networks operating in a broadcast fashion and involving message transactions over heterogeneous (wired or wireless) physical layers. For the addressed case, real-time (bounded message response times) and reliability (loss of frames not allowed) requirements demand a new solution to the traffic adaptation problem. Our approach relies on the insertion of an appropriate idle time before a station issuing a request frame. In this way, we guarantee that the linking devices' queues do not increase in a way that the timeliness properties of the overall system turn out to be unsuitable for the targeted applications. Copyright (C) 2001 IFAC.