Invited sessions

Monitoring, guidance and control of space vehicles (code: 2k5uj)

Co-chairs:
Mihai-Aureliu Lungu, University of Craiova, Lma1312(#at#)yahoo.com
Lucian-Florentin Bărbulescu, University of Craiova, lucian.barbulescu(#at#)dcti.ucv.ro
Ciprian-Marius Larco, Military Technical Academy, Bucharest, ciprian.larco(#at#)mta.ro
Cristian Vidan, Military Technical Academy, Bucharest, vidan.cristian(#at#)yahoo.com

Keywords: control systems design, embedded systems, signal processing

The past decades have witnessed the rapid development of space technology. As space missions become increasingly complex, the modelling, navigation, guidance, and control methods are essential to handle the complex situations and adapt to a changing environment or varying dynamics.

This special session is dedicated to on-board system design for space vehicles, aiming to bring together researchers, scientists and engineers from academia and industry, so as to share knowledge, experience and ideas. Both theoretical and practical studies are encouraged in the area of innovative technological models, hardware and software, with applications in monitoring, guidance and control of space vehicles. The topic of this special issue is space vehicles, which includes rockets, missiles, spacecraft, satellites, etc.

Authors are invited to submit papers addressing (but not limited to) the following topics: dynamics and simulation of space vehicles; attitude control of space vehicles; space trajectory optimization; inertial sensors instrumenting the space vehicles; innovative guidance and inertial navigation systems; avionic systems and on-board computer architectures; orbit dynamics and control; modelling and software implementation of space disturbances; software simulators for space vehicles.

Appreciated papers should offer modern solutions related to the monitoring, guidance and control of space vehicles, supported by an adequate theoretical background, software and/or experimental validation.


Brain-inspired computation for developing and exploiting real-world applications (code: v41wb)

Co-chairs:
Otar Akanyeti, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom, ota1[at]aber.ac.uk
Daniela Danciu, University of Craiova, Romania, daniela.danciu[at]edu.ucv.ro
William Megill, Rhine Waal University, Germany, william.megill[at]hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Keywords: brain modeling, computational modeling, autonomous navigation, signal processing, assistive technologies

The research focusing on deciphering the computational mechanisms underlying the cognitive processes of the brain has seen a huge development over the past few decades, being facilitated by the unprecedented advancement of supporting technologies. As such, new avenues have been opened for brain modeling at different scales and levels as well as for designing and implementation of engineering applications to translate on a higher level the new insights related to brain operation, connectivity, dynamics, sensing, acting, as well as decision-making.

This invited session aims to create a discussion forum leading to new approaches, paradigm shifts and/or the development of appropriate frameworks facilitating theoretical and applicative results related to (autonomous) navigation in unknown/challenging environments. Researchers from fields as control engineering, computer science, electronics, robotics, mechatronics, artificial intelligence and related areas are kindly invited to submit their findings within the following topics.

Authors are invited to submit papers addressing (but not limited to) the following topics: bio-inspired (dynamical) models for navigation; brain-inspired computation computational modeling; modeling neural processing of information; robotic navigation; brain-inspired technologies; neurocomputation for control of intelligent machines and robotic devices; assistive technologies.


Real time applications for process control and diagnosis (code: 879id)

Co-chairs:
Dumitru Popescu, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania, dumitru.popescu[at]upb.ro
Ciprian Lupu, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania, ciprian.lupu[at]upb.ro

Keywords: modeling, identification, control systems design, fault diagnosis, fault tolerance control, real time industrial applications

The session is opened for research presentations that bring interesting, relevant scientific work and innovative contributions in the field of modern process control and applications.

The session provides opportunities for researchers and specialists to offer their recent developments and results in control and diagnosis, applied in different domains with technical and economic interest: energy, automotive, aerospace, petrochemistry, transport, biotechnology, etc. We evaluate and discuss during this session performance and security issues that arise in process exploitation and management and optimization in real-time applications, by means of automatic control resources and information support.

Appreciated papers should offer modern solutions related to control of systems structures, supported by an adequate theoretical background, implemented, and validated in simulation and on industrial applications.


Smart buildings-based energy management and control systems (code: 41fan)

Chair: Lucian Mihet-Popa, Oestfold University College, Norway, lucian.mihet[at]hiof.no

Keywords: control systems design, intelligent Systems, modeling, simulation and CAD tools

This session will consider interactive buildings as an active component integrated into multi-carrier energy systems including the demand response, energy efficiency and demand side management in different energy sectors (electricity, heating and cooling, transportation). The focus will be on Building Energy Management Systems and how to design, develop and test Energy Management and Control algorithms and tools for the optimization of a Smart Building; Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have an impact on timely, cost effective delivery and compliant operations for Life Sciences facilities. Integration of Building Energy Management System with Electrical Power Systems can help you visualize all your utility data centrally to improve on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.

The main objective will be to develop, test and demonstrate cost-effective power-to-heat solutions using heat pumps and heat boosters with relay plug-in communication modules for district heating and cooling systems. The goal is to integrate and combine the management of different energy technologies (RES with Storage technologies, HVAC system control, lighting, heating and cooling) into a BEMS, to ensure an efficient and optimized energy management and the coverage of the highest possible share of RES. Next generation of BEMS architectures of a smart building system integration platform for proactive monitoring, control, and automation could be designed and developed. In order to find out a global optimum for the operation of interactive buildings with different heating (district heating (DH), heat pumps, heat boosters, etc.) or cooling setups (Power to Cooling (P2C) solution) and the corresponding Low-Voltage (LV) distribution energy systems, state of the art solutions can be proposed.

Development of simulation models, AI algorithms, and tools for Energy Management and Control Systems are essential elements and key components for implementing and testing innovative solutions.


Cloud computing: algorithms, services and applications (code: b5bc1)

Chairs: Elena Serban, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania, elena.serban[at]academic.tuiasi.ro
Cristian-Mihai Amarandei, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania,
cristian-mihai.amarandei[at]academic.tuiasi.ro
Paul-Corneliu Herghelegiu,“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania,
paul-corneliu.herghelegiu[at]academic.tuiasi.ro
Alexandru Archip, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania,
alexandru.archip[at]academic.tuiasi.ro

Keywords: cloud computing, distributed systems, grid computing

Information communication technologies have been greatly influenced by the appearance of the cloud computing paradigm. This paradigm impacted and redefined how data is retrieved, stored, processed and shared. Cloud services provide a large-scale, scalable, flexible and adaptable environment characterized by a high degree of resource virtualization and sharing among users.

This session provides a forum for researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to share knowledge and experience regarding developing, implementing and deploying Cloud infrastructures, services and applications. Challenges and opportunities of using off the shelf or built from scratch Cloud infrastructures (using Cloud software packages, like OpenStack) as well as
Cloud Computing case studies are welcomed for this session.

Authors are invited to submit original and unpublished papers addressing the following topics (but not limited to): cloud services, cloud computing, cloud applications, programming models using cloud and IoT services, cloud security, high performance computing, network, storage and virtualization technologies for cloud, big data and problem solving using cloud technologies.