Wireless networked control systems (WCNS)

The suitability of wireless technologies for implementing closed-loop control of hard real-time systems is an open question. A definitive study of the time delays and the effects of frame loss is currently lacking.

This ground breaking project of international standing investigates the suitability of IEEE 802.11b as a wireless networked control system. Detailed simulation results have been obtained for the control of a cart with an inverted pendulum using a novel network simulator developed within Simulink.

The network simulator is capable of concurrently modelling both the communications network and control system performance. WNCS have application in a wide range of domains, such as industrial process control, avionic defence systems and feedback control of MEMS-based medical implants.

Funding: QUB Virtual Engineering Centre (PhD Studentship)

People:
J Colandairaj
GW Irwin (PI)
WG Scanlon