1. Development of an hmi visualization for monitoring and control of a servo-pneumatic system for moving a fragile objectMaja Radovanović, 2025, master's thesis Abstract: This thesis describes the development of an HMI visualization for monitoring and control of a servo-pneumatic system used to move a fragile object. The first part of the thesis presents the components of the real system, including the Siemens S7-1200 PLC, servo-pneumatic valve, pneumatic cylinders, and reed sensors, as well as the software used, such as TIA Portal and Enfield Technologies. The second part focuses on the development of the HMI visualization. It includes system control in both automatic and manual modes, alarm signaling, and 2D animation of cylinders and object movements. This approach improves system clarity, safety, and operational flexibility. Keywords: HMI, Visualization, Monitoring, Control, PLC, Siemens Published in DKUM: 03.12.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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2. IoT-based off-grid solar power supply : design, implementation, and case study of energy consumption control using forecasted solar irradiationMarijan Španer, Mitja Truntič, Darko Hercog, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This article presents the development and implementation of an IoT-enabled, off-grid solar power supply prototype designed to power a range of electrical devices. The developed system comprises a Photovoltaic panel, a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charger, a 2.5 kWh/24 V high-performance LiFePO4 battery bank with a Battery Management System, an embedded controller with IoT connectivity, and DC/DC and DC/AC converters. The PV panel serves as the primary energy source, with the MPPT controller optimizing battery charging, while the DC/DC and DC/AC converters supply power to the connected electrical devices. The article includes a case study of a developed platform for powering an information and advertising system. The system features a predictive energy management algorithm, which optimizes the appliance operation based on daily solar irradiance forecasts and real-time battery State-of-Charge monitoring. The IoT-enabled controller obtains solar irradiance forecasts from an online meteorological service via API calls and uses these data to estimate energy availability for the next day. Using this prediction, the system schedules and prioritizes the operations of connected electrical devices dynamically to optimize the performance and prevent critical battery discharge. The IoT-based controller is equipped with both Wi-Fi and an LTE modem, enabling communication with online services via wireless or cellular networks. Keywords: energy consumption control, forecasted solar irradiation, power management, off-grid power supply, photovoltaic, solar, IoT, LTE, Wi-Fi, ESP32 Published in DKUM: 14.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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3. Controllable speech-driven gesture generation with selective activation of weakly supervised controlsKarlo Crnek, Matej Rojc, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Generating realistic and contextually appropriate gestures is crucial for creating engaging embodied conversational agents. Although speech is the primary input for gesture generation, adding controls like gesture velocity, hand height, and emotion is essential for generating more natural, human-like gestures. However, current approaches to controllable gesture generation often utilize a limited number of control parameters and lack the ability to activate/deactivate them selectively. Therefore, in this work, we propose the Cont-Gest model, a Transformer-based gesture generation model that enables selective control activation through masked training and a control fusion strategy. Furthermore, to better support the development of such models, we propose a novel evaluation-driven development (EDD) workflow, which combines several iterative tasks: automatic control signal extraction, control specification, visual (subjective) feedback, and objective evaluation. This workflow enables continuous monitoring of model performance and facilitates iterative refinement through feedback-driven development cycles. For objective evaluation, we are using the validated Kinetic–Hellinger distance, an objective metric that correlates strongly with the human perception of gesture quality. We evaluated multiple model configurations and control dynamics strategies within the proposed workflow. Experimental results show that Feature-wise Linear Modulation (FiLM) conditioning, combined with single-mask training and voice activity scaling, achieves the best balance between gesture quality and adherence to control inputs. Keywords: gesture generation, objective evaluation, selective control activation, transformers, weakly supervised learning Published in DKUM: 09.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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4. Possible enhancing of spraying management by evaluating automated control in different training systemsJurij Rakun, Peter Lepej, Rajko Bernik, Jelisaveta Seka Cvijanović, Miljan Cvetković, Erik Rihter, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study explores the feasibility of an automated sensor system for precise plant protection product application in plum orchards, aiming to address issues related to inefficient spraying practices, environmental pollution, and reduced crop quality associated with traditional training systems. The research focuses on detecting tree canopy presence, evaluating electromagnetic valve actuation in different plum training systems, and optimizing plant protection product usage. Sensor-based spraying demonstrates its potential to improve operational efficiency, reduce product losses, and foster environmentally responsible agricultural practices, contributing to the broader field of precision agriculture. For the selected scene, the results show the possibility of a substantial savings of 71.37%, 47.17%, 58.59%, and 55.06% for the One-axis, Bi-axis, UFO, and Combine systems, respectively. Implementing this technology can potentially lead to significant improvements in plum orchard operations while minimizing the industry’s ecological impact on the environment. Keywords: sensors, spraying application control, target-oriented spray, plum orchard, training systems Published in DKUM: 08.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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5. Evaluation of the simultaneous operation of the mechanisms for cross-border interchange and activation of the regulating reservesMarcel Topler, Boštjan Polajžer, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This article examines the mechanisms for cross-border interchange of the regulating
reserves (RRs), i.e., the imbalance-netting process (INP) and the cross-border activation of the
RRs (CBRR). Both mechanisms are an additional service of frequency restoration reserves in the
power system and connect different control areas (CAs) via virtual tie-lines to release RRs and
reduce balancing energy. The primary objective of the INP is to net the demand for RRs between
the cooperating CAs with different signs of interchange power variation. In contrast, the primary
objective of the CBRR is to activate the RRs in the cooperating CAs with matching signs of interchange
power variation. In this way, the ancillary services market and the European balancing system should
be improved. However, both the INP and CBRR include a frequency term and thus impact the
frequency response of the cooperating CAs. Therefore, the impact of the simultaneous operation of the
INP and CBRR on the load-frequency control (LFC) and performance is comprehensively evaluated
with dynamic simulations of a three-CA testing system, which no previous studies investigated
before. In addition, a function for correction power adjustment is proposed to prevent the undesirable
simultaneous activation of the INP and CBRR. In this way, area control error (ACE) and scheduled
control power are decreased since undesired correction is prevented. The dynamic simulations
confirmed that the simultaneous operation of the INP and CBRR reduced the balancing energy
and decreased the unintended exchange of energy. Consequently, the LFC and performance were
improved in this way. However, the impact of the INP and CBRR on the frequency quality has no
unambiguous conclusions. Keywords: frequency quality, load-frequency control, regulating reserves, cross-border interchange, cross-border activation Published in DKUM: 16.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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6. Use of a heating system to control the probiotic beverage production in batch bioreactorJožef Ritonja, Andreja Goršek, Darja Pečar, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Fermentation is a crucial bioengineering process, existentially important for modern society.
The most commonly used production unit for this process is the batch bioreactor. Its main advantage
is unsophisticated construction, which unfortunately results in its incapability of controlling the
transient state of the fermentation process. Control of the fermentation can significantly improve
the quality of the product and the economy of the process; therefore, it is useful for bioreactors to
be equipped with a control system. Based on the experimental results, we used an optimization
method to identify a mathematical model that describes the impact of the bioreactor’s temperature
on the fermentation’s transient process. The obtained model was applied for the design and synthesis
of the closed-loop control system. Simulations and experiments confirmed the effectiveness of the
proposed control system. In this way, we can ensure the consistent quality of the produced probiotic
product, increase the amount of the product, and shorten the fermentation time. The original results
display the feasibility of the closed-loop control of the batch bioreactor’s fermentation process by
changing the temperature. So far, the process has been carried without a closed-loop control system.
The problem is current and has not yet been solved sufficiently. There are many attempts published;
one of the last shows the possibility of controlling the fermentation process by changing the oxygen
supply, which is more complex and expensive for realization than the solution from our study. Keywords: probiotic bewerages, fermentation, modelling, identification, control implementation Published in DKUM: 16.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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7. Integrating Multi-Physics Modeling within Multi-Objective Optimization to Enhance the Performance and Efficiency of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines : doktorska disertacijaMitja Garmut, 2025, doctoral dissertation Abstract: This Dissertation focuses on the optimization of an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) machine for handheld battery-powered tools, aiming to enhance performance and efficiency.
The research integrates multi-physics modeling, including electromagnetic Finite Element Method (FEM) and thermal models, to evaluate machine performance under various operating conditions. The performance is evaluated according to selected Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Further, different control methods, such as Field Oriented Control and Square-Wave Control, impact the performance significantly and are incorporated into the optimization process.
Due to the computational challenges of FEM-based performance evaluations in Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO), this work utilizes Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based meta-models, to accelerate the optimization process while preserving accuracy.
The developed meta-models capture nonlinear machine characteristics from the FEM model. These meta-models are then used to evaluate machine performance through a combination of analytical and numerical post-processing methods.
Four MOO scenarios are presented, each aimed at optimizing the cross-sectional design of IPM machines, to enhance performance and efficiency while reducing mass and cost. Additionally, these scenarios modify the machine’s electromagnetic behavior, to ensure better alignment with the selected control method.
By comparing the optimization process of Scenario 1, which uses direct FEM-based evaluation without time reduction measures, to the approach incorporating Artificial Neural Network based meta-models, the total number of individual FEM evaluations decreased from 2.35×10^9 to 2.03×10^5, without almost any loss of accuracy. This reduced the computation time from 297 years to 9.07 days on our standard desktop computer. The obtained ANN-base meta-models can be used further for other optimizations without the need for additional FEM evaluations.
In all four optimization scenarios, the use of meta-models enabled the generation of a Pareto front of the optimal solutions, leading to improved KPIs compared to the reference design. The highest relative improvement occurred in Scenario 1, where the selected optimized machine design achieved a 30% increase in power density compared to the reference design. Keywords: Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) Machine, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Meta-Modeling, Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO), Finite Element Method (FEM), Multi-Physics Modeling, Field Oriented Control (FOC), Square-Wave Control (SWC) Published in DKUM: 15.05.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 148
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8. Toward embedded system resources relaxation based on the event-triggered feedback control approachAndrej Sarjaš, Dušan Gleich, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The paper describes an event-triggered nonlinear feedback controller design. Event triggering is a real-time controller implementation technique which reduces embedded system utilization
and relaxes task scheduling of the real-time system. In contrast to classic time implementation
techniques, the event-triggered execution is validated regarding the introduced triggering policy.
The triggering rule is a boundary, where the last task value is preserved until the rule is violated.
In the given paper, two different event-triggered strategies are designed for the class of dynamic
systems with integral behavior. Both methods are based on sliding mode controller design, where the
triggering rule of the first design involves only a partial state vector, which is a direct consequence of
the triggering rule derivation throughout the Lyapunov stability analysis. In the second approach,
the sliding mode controller is designed upon prior stabilized systems with the additional term, which
enables derivation of the triggering rule based on the whole state vector. The second approach offers
better closed-loop performance and higher relaxation of the system utilization. The selection of
triggering boundary is related closely to the derived minimal inter-event time, which impacts the
computational burden of the real-time system and closed-loop performance directly. The derived
controllers are compared with the classic sample and hold implementation techniques. The real-time
results are presented, and system performances are confirmed regarding embedded system task
relaxation, lowering the computational intensity and preserving closed-loop dynamics. Keywords: sliding mode control, event-triggered control, lowering computational intensity, task relaxation Published in DKUM: 28.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 13
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9. Control of an inductive power transfer system using a double coil structureNataša Prosen, Mitja Truntič, Jure Domajnko, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents the design of the control of the system using a double DD coil structure.
The double DD coil is a layered coil structure that consists of two single DD coils, rotated to each other
by 90◦. A large-signal and small-signal model of the proposed IPT system are designed for control
synthesis. The small-signal model is derived from the large-signal using harmonic approximation
and the extended describing functions (EDF). For the small-signal model, voltage and current control
schemes were proposed for the purpose of wireless battery charging. The robustness of the control is
tested on a small-scale IPT system using double DD coils and resistive load. The results are evaluated
at different reference voltages, currents, loads and coupling coefficients. Keywords: wireless power transfer, double DD coil structure, voltage control, IPT with multiple coils Published in DKUM: 28.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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10. Control of a modified switched-capacitor boost converterBenjamin Ošlaj, Mitja Truntič, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Switched-capacitor converters and their alternatives have been shown to provide high
efficiency with high power densities on smaller volumes, and can thereby be a suitable choice for
energy harvesting. This paper proposes a hybrid power architecture based on a switched-capacitor
topology and a boost converter that can be used for such purposes. A switching capacitor circuit
can achieve any voltage ratio, allowing a boost converter to increase the input voltage to higher
voltage levels. The first stage is unregulated with high-efficiency voltage conversion. The boost stage
provides a regulated voltage output on such a converter. Rather than cascading two converters, their
operation is integrated for the output voltage regulation. One major problem of switched-capacitor
converters is output voltage regulation, which is solved by the interconnection of the power stages.
The simplicity and robustness of the solution provide the possibility to achieve higher voltage ratios
than cascading boost converters and provide higher efficiency. The converter’s size and cost can be
improved with the integration of switching capacitors in DC-DC converter structures. A converter
prototype has been designed, modelled, and built for the input voltage level of 2 V and power level
of 5 W. Keywords: SC-BC, cascade control, low power, low voltage Published in DKUM: 28.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
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