Abstract
This paper describes a CMOS mixed-signal interface with a RF transmitter. This die is assembled in a Multi-Chip-Module (MCM) micro-system together with the micromachined soil moisture sensor to achieve a cost-effective solution with accurate and reliable measurements for soil moisture in agriculture. The soil moisture probe, based on Dual-Probe Heat-Pulse (DPHP) method, is fabricated in bulk-micromachining technology. The DPHP method is based on the measurement of the maximum temperature rise at some distance from the heater, after applying a heat-pulse. The measurement of the temperature rise is obtained by subtracting soil temperature from the probe temperature. The mixed-signal interface is based on a pre-amplification stage and first-order sigma-delta modulator. The bit-stream output of the modulator is then applied to a counter as a first order decimation filter thus providing a 12-bit readout sample. Prior to transmission, data is encoded as a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal and then transmitted by means of an amplitude shift-keying (ASK) modulation. ne transmitter features a VCO phase locked to the quartz crystal reference of 13.56 MHz to achieve a carrier frequency of 433.92 MHz. A RF power amplifier based on class E topology was chosen. The CMOS mixed-signal interface with a RF transmitter has been implemented in a single-chip using a standard CMOS process (AMI 0.7 mum, n-well, 2 metals and I Poly).

Abstract
This paper describes the design and implementation status of the Control and Localisation systems of the ISePorto robotic football team for participation in Robocup Middle Size League (F2000). The objectives guiding the project were the applications and research in hybrid control and coordination systems. The system has also an educational support role. 4 special attention is made to the custom design to allow the execution of complex manoeuvres and team coordinated behaviours. The robot has different pass, shot, and manoeuvre capabilities providing high level tactical and strategic planing and coordination.

Abstract

Abstract
Quality prediction of load evolution at different levels of distribution network is a basic requirement for adequate operation planning of modern power systems. This paper describes the models, based on artificial neural networks, developed for active and reactive power forecasting at primary substations' transformers. The main goal consists on defining a regression process characterized by good quality estimates of those future values, based on historical data. Anticipation interval shall include from the next hour to one week in advance. The implemented forecasting tool is able to deal with noisy data, holidays and special occasions and adapts forecasts in case of power network reconfiguration whenever planned. Used techniques and implementation foundations of selected forecasting models are reported. Finally, the potential of the adopted approach is sustained by illustrative examples. © 2003 IEEE.

Abstract
System and mission requirements for the use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) were defined. A requirement analysis was done having in mind the definition of search methodologies involving multiple cooperating vehicles. Control and navigation issues were addressed. Various search strategies were proposed and analyzed in terms of control, navigation and overall system requirements.

Abstract
This paper discusses the design of YapDss, an or-parallel Prolog system for distributed memory parallel machines, such as the Beowulf PC clusters. The system builds on the work of YapOr, an or-parallel system for shared memory machines, and uses the distributed stack splitting binding model to represent computation state and work sharing among the computational workers. A new variant scheme of stack splitting, the diagonal splitting, is proposed and implemented. This scheme includes efficient algorithms to balance work load among computing workers, to determine the bottommost common node between two workers, and to calculate exactly the work load of one worker. An initial evaluation of the system shows that it is able to achieve very good speedups on a Beowulf PC cluster.