Abstract

Abstract
The automation of road vehicles has become a necessity to improve the efficiency and safety of this system. In a vehicle formation it is important to maintain a safety distance between the vehicles. The control of a vehicle spacing distance and longitudinal velocity can be achieved through the implementation of a model-based predictive controller. This implementation of a cooperative adaptive cruise control allows the access of another vehicle state information through vehicular communication technology and promote state prediction and ultimately system stability. The optimization algorithm performs the computation of the control input in a control horizon window and ensures that the spacing error takes only positive values. The results of the proposed controller are evaluated through the computational tool Simulink in the two-vehicle platoon. The controller is implemented in the precedent vehicle. To assess the performance of the proposed controller different control parameters and constraints were used.

Abstract
The LV SCADA project aimed at the development of advanced technical, commercial and regulatory solutions to contribute for an effective smart grid implementation. One of the biggest challenges of the project was related with the lack of characterization that usually exists in LV networks, together with the almost non-existing observability. In order to overcome these issues, a LV management system integrating a state estimation tool based on artificial intelligence techniques was developed. The tool is currently installed in one pilot demonstration site that aggregates 2 MV/LV substations. In this paper the performance of tool in real environment is evaluated and the results gathered from the pilot site are analyzed.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents a study on the evolution of digital skills of a group of people with intellectual disabilities, when performing tasks such as painting, making puzzles, playing games, or word search. For the effect, we compare results in two assessment moments: in the first one, the group with intellectual disabilities had little or no experience as regards as performing universal tasks (selection, manipulation and navigation) and with the Web; in the second one, the group had some experience obtained within the 6 months after the first assessment moment. We aimed at evaluating the evolution of their digital skills by comparing the two assessment moments through the following usability variables: successful conclusion of activities, type of difficulties found, errors, satisfaction, motivation and autonomy indicators. The results revealed that participants showed learning skills when performing all the three universal tasks (namely: selection, manipulation and navigation) which is indicated by the number of participants that was able to conclude the activities, also confirmed by the prominent results of the second assessment moment. When it comes to errors, they made more errors in the first assessment moment, in general. When handling the input devices the participants had a better performance with the mouse than the keyboard. On the other hand, they improved their keyboard handling. However, it was observed that it is not a device that they can be autonomous with due to their reading/writing difficulties, which itself represents a didactic challenge when it comes to the very presentation of appropriate methodologies and techniques that may help them overcome such problem.

Abstract
This paper introduces a control strategy for the assessment of SAPF (shunt active power filters) role in the electrical power networks. The proposed control scheme is based on the Lyapunov control theory and defines a stable operating region for the interfaced converter during the integration time with the utility grid. The compensation of instantaneous variations of reference current components in the control loop of SAPF in ac-side, and dc-link voltage oscillations in dc-side of the proposed model, is thoroughly considered in the stable operation of interfaced converter, which is the main contribution of this proposal in comparison with other potential control approaches. The proposed control scheme can guarantee the injection of all harmonic components of current and reactive power of grid-connected loads, with a fast dynamic response that results in a unity power factor between the grid currents and voltages during the integration of SAPF into the power grid. An extensive simulation study is performed, assessing the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in the utilization of SAPF in power networks.