Abstract
This work presents RVC (Reconfigurable Vector Coprocessor), a FPGA based custom computing machine for vector processing applications. This system was built to serve as an implementation platform for a custom vector processor designed for a digital signal processing application. Although its architecture has been in part dictated by the immediate needs of that dedicated processor, it also serves for other custom machines exhibiting similar requirements of vector processing. © 1998 IEEE.

Abstract

Abstract
The electric distribution planning problem consists on deciding which facilities (injection points and feeders) to construct to meet future injections. Uncertainty on future demands and independent producers' injections, in the distribution network introduce additional difficulties to the problem. This paper presents a framework to cope with uncertainties, resulting from natural resources producers (mini-hydro and wind generation), based on fuzzy descriptions of the dispersed generation injections, leading to detailed models to be used in planning tools. The models include basic uncertainty and linguistic modifiers when extra information, from experts, is available. The proposed approach is useful both for operation and planning purposes.

Abstract
This paper focuses on the telework support to the so-called Small Information-based Organisations, where all activities involve information processing and transfer, usually among sub-contracted teleworkers. Most of these companies run by managing multiple parallel projects, i.e. one-of-a-kind business processes, each project usually involving remote activity execution by teleworkers. There is therefore a clear demand for workflow management systems supporting telework, featuring facilities that further enhance traditional office automation systems by filling the required support to geographically distributed co-operative work. The work presented was undertaken during a telework workflow management system requirements' specification, to support the so-called Small Information-based Organisations. To this end, we analysed the virtual enterprise life cycle, identifying the required modelling tool types for each of the required steps. The consecutive project steps from project planning to co-ordination were then identified, with special relevance to the definition of the so-called execution primitives and to the support of human interaction through the speech-act theory. This approach allowed the description of a consistent life-cycle approach from project planning to coordination.

Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the evolution of factory communications and related standards, ranging from industrial network standards' such as MAP(2), up to distributed platforms like OSF/DCE3 and OMG/CORBA(4). This overview has a particular emphasis on the advantages and constraints of distributed platforms as a means to support shop floor communications. The underlying work stems from and complements that of a previous paper (Santos et al.,1997) presenting a specific view on distributed platforms towards CIMOSA integrating infrastructure implementation. Copyright (C) 1998 IFAC.

Abstract
The Modelling Workbench briefly described in this paper was the result of a research project undertaken at the INESC Porto. It was the outcome of the integration of a SDL (Specification and Description Language) software modelling constructs into Simple++, an object-oriented material flow modelling and simulation tool, as well as its further integration with a CASE tool. The modelling environment provided by this Modelling Workbench supports the integrated modelling of material and information flow. Copyright (C) 1998 IFAC.