Volume 9, Issue 2

The incredible growth of FPGA capabilities in recent years and the new included features have made them more and more attractive for numerous embedded systems. There is however an important shortcoming concerning security of data and design. Data security implies the protection of the FPGA application in the sense that the data inside the circuit and the data transferred to/from the peripheral circuits during the communication are protected. This paper suggests a new method to support the security of any FPGA platform using network processor technology. Low cost IP2022 UBICOM network processor was used as a security shield in front of any FPGA device. It was supplied with the necessary security methods such as AES ciphering engine, SHA-1, HMAC and an embedded firewall to provide confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and packets filtering features.

In this paper, a modified wavelet neural network (WNN) (or wavenet)-based predictor is introduced to predict link status (congestion with load indication) of each link in the computer network. On the contrary of previous wavenet-based predictors, the proposed modified wavenet-based link state predictor (MWBLSP) generates two indicating outputs for congestion and load status of each link based on the premeasured power burden (square values) of utilization on each link in the previous time intervals. Fortunately, WNNs possess all learning and generalization capabilities of traditional neural networks. In addition, the ability of such WNNs are efficiently enhanced by the local characteristics of wavelet functions to deal with sudden changes and burst network load. The use of power burden utilization at the predictor input supports some non-linear distributions of the predicted values in a more efficient manner. The proposed MWBLSP predictor can be used in the context of active congestion control and link load balancing techniques to improve the performance of all links in the network with best utilization of network resources.

Distributed Generation (DG) can help in reducing the cost of electricity to the costumer, relieve network congestion and provide environmentally friendly energy close to load centers. Its capacity is also scalable and it provides voltage support at distribution level. Hence, DG placement and penetration level is an important problem for both the utility and DG owner. The Optimal Power Flow (OPF) has been widely used for both the operation and planning of a power system. The OPF is also suited for deregulated environment. Four different objective functions are considered in this study: (1) Improvement voltage profile (2) minimization of active power loss (3) maximum capacity of conductors (4) maximization of reliability level. The site and size of DG units are assumed as design variables. The results are discussed and compared with those of traditional distribution planning and also with Imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA).

Large disturbances in an induction generator-based wind system necessitate rapid compensation for the reactive power. This article addresses the application of Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) in optimizing the performance of grid connected wind power system. The functionality of the static synchronous compensator in maintaining system stability and reliability during/post diverse severe disturbances is thoroughly investigated. A design procedure for STATCOM, particularly the capacitor in the DC side was advised.