International Journal of Automation and Computing

International Journal of Automation and Computing (ISSN 1476-8186) is a joint publication of Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Automation and Computing Society in the United Kingdom. Prof. TN Tan Institute of Automation Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100080 People’s Republic of China Email: tnt@nlpr.ia.ac.cn

Novel Architecture of Security Orchestration, Automation and Response in Internet of Blended Environment

New technologies that take advantage of the emergence of massive Internet of Things(IoT)and a hyper-connected network environment have rapidly increased in recent years.These technologies are used in diverse environments,such as smart factories,digital healthcare,and smart grids,with increased security concerns.We intend to operate Security Orchestration,Automation and Response(SOAR)in various environments through new concept definitions as the need to detect and respond automatically to rapidly increasing security incidents without the intervention of security personnel has emerged.To facilitate the understanding of the security concern involved in this newly emerging area,we offer the definition of Internet of Blended Environment(IoBE)where various convergence environments are interconnected and the data analyzed in automation.We define Blended Threat(BT)as a security threat that exploits security vulnerabilities through various attack surfaces in the IoBE.We propose a novel SOAR-CUBE architecture to respond to security incidents with minimal human intervention by automating the BT response process.The Security Orchestration,Automation,and Response(SOAR)part of our architecture is used to link heterogeneous security technologies and the threat intelligence function that collects threat data and performs a correlation analysis of the data.SOAR is operated under Collaborative Units of Blended Environment(CUBE)which facilitates dynamic exchanges of data according to the environment applied to the IoBE by distributing and deploying security technologies for each BT type and dynamically combining them according to the cyber kill chain stage to minimize the damage and respond efficiently to BT.

Readiness of a Developing Nation in Implementing Automation and Robotics Technologies in Construction： A Case Study of Malaysia

The Malaysian government＇s vision to be a developed nation by 2020 has pushed forward the use of innovative technologies in most sectors and industries, including the construction industry. Through the ETP （Economic Transformation Programme）, major projects launched are expected to provide a great catalyst for the economy, and may become the platform for increasing the use of automation and highly enhanced plants and machineries in the construction industry. Innovations in most countries are mostly driven by the need to find revolutionary solutions to problems, such as a shortage of skilled labor, decreasing quality of product and processes, inferior working conditions, declining productivity and increasing costs of labor and materials. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machineries to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. This paper discusses the readiness of a developing country in embracing construction automation and robotics, by exploring industry perception, suggested practices and barriers to its implementation using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews directed at Malaysian construction finns of contractors, specialist sub-contractors, developers and consultants. The findings show that the Malaysian construction industry is ready, to a certain extent, for implementing the technologies in limited areas such as prefabrication and assembly and in the design, planning and costing phases.

The DAO to MetaControl for MetaSystems in Metaverses:The System of Parallel Control Systems for Knowledge Automation and Control Intelligence in CPSS

An investigation and outline of MetaControl and DeControl in Metaverses for control intelligence and knowledge automation are presented.Prescriptive control with prescriptive knowledge and parallel philosophy is proposed as the starting point for the new control philosophy and technology,especially for computational control of metasystems in cyberphysical-social systems.We argue that circular causality,the generalized feedback mechanism for complex and purposive systems,should be adapted as the fundamental principle for control and management of metasystems with metacomplexity in metaverses.Particularly,an interdisciplinary approach is suggested for MetaControl and DeControl as a new form of intelligent control based on five control metaverses:MetaVerses,MultiVerses,InterVerses,TransVerse,and DeepVerses.

Parallel Driving in CPSS:A Unified Approach for Transport Automation and Vehicle Intelligence

The emerging development of connected and automated vehicles imposes a significant challenge on current vehicle control and transportation systems. This paper proposes a novel unified approach, Parallel Driving, a cloud-based cyberphysical-social systems(CPSS) framework aiming at synergizing connected automated driving. This study first introduces the CPSS and ACP-based intelligent machine systems. Then the parallel driving is proposed in the cyber-physical-social space,considering interactions among vehicles, human drivers, and information. Within the framework, parallel testing, parallel learning and parallel reinforcement learning are developed and concisely reviewed. Development on intelligent horizon(iHorizon)and its applications are also presented towards parallel horizon.The proposed parallel driving offers an ample solution for achieving a smooth, safe and efficient cooperation among connected automated vehicles with different levels of automation in future road transportation systems.

Present situation and developing trend of coal mine automation and communication technology

Introduced developing process of coal mine automation and communication technology,analyzed present features and characteristics of coal mine automation and communication technology,and put forward a few key technical problems needed to be solved.

Networking Automation and Intelligence:A New Era of Network Innovation

The origin of the Internet can be traced back to the late 1960s.As the progenitor of the Internet,the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network(ARPANET)was the first wide-area packetswitching network,with the main goal of enabling access to remote computers and exchanging data among several authorized computers.Over the latest decade,the Internet has achieved massive development.

HYSYS Automation and Its Application on Evaluation of Plate Heat Exchanger

When simulating or designing plate heat exchangers for multicomponent mixtures, most designers are often perplexed with the question on how to choose or estimate the physical property param- eters and hope to have a reliable database that could be adopted. The commercial codes HYSYS supply the physical property package on over 1500 pure substances and over 16 000 binary coefficients for them. This work has briefly presented an efficient communication interface based on the Microsoft Component Object Model （COM） between inner plate heat exchanger simulation codes and the HYSYS package. The application of a custom-made HYSYS-COM interface has shown high efficiency, such as significant reduction of time needed for evaluating each process stream＇s properties. This automation method can be conveniently extended to further optimization study for any specific operation device such as heat transfers, columns, and other facilities.

Real Time Automation and Ratio Control Using PLC&SCADA in Industry 4.0

Industrial Control Systems(ICS)and SCADA(Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)systems play a critical role in the management and regulation of critical infrastructure.SCADA systems brings us closer to the real-time application world.All process and equipment control capability is typically provided by a Distributed Control System(DCS)in industries such as power stations,agricultural systems,chemical and water treatment plants.Instead of control through DCS,this paper proposes a SCADA and PLC(Programmable Logic Controller)system to control the ratio control division and the assembly line division inside the chemical plant.A specific design and implementation method for development of SCADA/PLC based real time ratio control and automated assembly line system in a chemical plant is introduced.The assembly line division is further divided into sorting stage,filling stage and the auxiliary stage,which includes the capping unit,labelling unit and then the storage.In the ratio control division,we have defined the levels inside the mixer and ratio of the raw materials through human machine interface(HMI)panel.The ratio of raw materials is kept constant on the basis of flow rates of wild stream and manipulated stream.There is a flexibility in defining new levels and the ratios of the raw materials inside the mixer.But here we taken the predefined levels(low,medium,high)and ratios(3:4,2:1,2:5).Control valves are used for regulating the flow of the compositions.In the assembly line division,the containers are sorted on the basis of size and type of material used i.e.,big sized metallic containers and small sized non-metallic containers by inductive and capacitive proximity sensors.All the processes are facilitated with laser beam type or reflective type sensors on the conveyor system.Building a highly stable and dependable PLC/SCADA system instead of Distributed Control System is required to achieve automatic management and control of chemical industry processes to reduce waste manpower and physical resources,as well as to improve worker safety.

On the new era of automation and intelligence

We are at the threshold of a new era of automation and intelligence.With the rapid development of modern technology and the popularity of intelligent devices,not just researchers in the laboratory but also the general public will have the opportunity to witness products of the new era such as smart cities,unmanned factories,intelligent driving,and autonomous systems.These products,which rely on machine autonomy—the ability to perform intended tasks based on current states and sensed information—often operate autonomously in unsupervised and natural environments.

Production System Optimization, Automation and Sustainability in Manufacturing of Crankshaft

A multistage automated production system for crankshafts under sustainability considerations is presented.The advanced methodologies presented here will reduce cost and improve productivity.The optimum parameters for operations are calculated for the minimum cost of operation.The manufacturing automation is illustrated through a production system design showing the specification of machine tools,total energy consumption and total carbon dioxide emission.

Research on Distribution Network Automation and Distribution Network Planning Mode

Based on the research of distribution network automation and distribution network planning mode, the analysis of the significance of urban distribution network automation must be performed at the first place. Combined with the problems existing in China’s current distribution network, it is concluded that, establish effective hardware support system, data sharing and feeder automation to ensure automation safety;strengthen power distribution and power line material testing to improve distribution automation system and distribution network planning;research methods of improving the professional skills and comprehensive quality of professionals.

Review of Model-Based Testing Approaches in Production Automation and Adjacent Domains—Current Challenges and Research Gaps

As production automation systems have been and are becoming more and more complex, the task of quality assurance is increasingly challenging. Model-based testing is a research field addressing this challenge and many approaches have been suggested for different applications. The goal of this paper is to review these approaches regarding their suitability for the domain of production automation in order to identify current trends and research gaps. The different approaches are classified and clustered according to their main focus which is either testing and test case generation from some form of model automatons, test case generation from models used within the development process of production automation systems, test case generation from fault models or test case selection and regression testing.

Automation 5.0: The Key to Systems Intelligence and Industry 5.0

AUTOMATION has come a long way since the early days of mechanization,i.e.,the process of working exclusively by hand or using animals to work with machinery.The rise of steam engines and water wheels represented the first generation of industry,which is now called Industry Citation:L.Vlacic,H.Huang,M.Dotoli,Y.Wang,P.Ioanno,L.Fan,X.Wang,R.Carli,C.Lv,L.Li,X.Na,Q.-L.Han,and F.-Y.Wang,“Automation 5.0:The key to systems intelligence and Industry 5.0,”IEEE/CAA J.Autom.Sinica,vol.11,no.8,pp.1723-1727,Aug.2024.

Efficient and Secure IoT Based Smart Home Automation Using Multi-Model Learning and Blockchain Technology

The concept of smart houses has grown in prominence in recent years.Major challenges linked to smart homes are identification theft,data safety,automated decision-making for IoT-based devices,and the security of the device itself.Current home automation systems try to address these issues but there is still an urgent need for a dependable and secure smart home solution that includes automatic decision-making systems and methodical features.This paper proposes a smart home system based on ensemble learning of random forest(RF)and convolutional neural networks(CNN)for programmed decision-making tasks,such as categorizing gadgets as“OFF”or“ON”based on their normal routine in homes.We have integrated emerging blockchain technology to provide secure,decentralized,and trustworthy authentication and recognition of IoT devices.Our system consists of a 5V relay circuit,various sensors,and a Raspberry Pi server and database for managing devices.We have also developed an Android app that communicates with the server interface through an HTTP web interface and an Apache server.The feasibility and efficacy of the proposed smart home automation system have been evaluated in both laboratory and real-time settings.It is essential to use inexpensive,scalable,and readily available components and technologies in smart home automation systems.Additionally,we must incorporate a comprehensive security and privacy-centric design that emphasizes risk assessments,such as cyberattacks,hardware security,and other cyber threats.The trial results support the proposed system and demonstrate its potential for use in everyday life.

Intelligent Metal Detection and Disposal Automation Equipment Based on Geometric Optimization Driving Algorithm

In order to solve the problem of metal impurities mixed in the production line of wood pulp nonwoven raw materials,intelligent metal detection and disposal automation equipment is designed.Based on the principle of electromagnetic induction,the precise positioning of metal coordinates is realized by initial inspection and multi-directional re-inspection.Based on a geometry optimization driving algorithm,the cutting area is determined by locating the center of the circle that covers the maximum area.This approach aims to minimize the cutting area and maximize the use of materials.Additionally,the method strives to preserve as many fabrics at the edges as possible by employing the farthest edge covering circle algorithm.Based on a speed compensation algorithm,the flexible switching of upper and lower rolls is realized to ensure the maximum production efficiency.Compared with the metal detection device in the existing production line,the designed automation equipment has the advantages of higher detection sensitivity,more accurate metal coordinate positioning,smaller cutting material areas and higher production efficiency,which can make the production process more continuous,automated and intelligent.

Transforming organic chemistry research paradigms:Moving from manual efforts to the intersection of automation and artificial intelligence

Organic chemistry is undergoing a major paradigm shift,moving from a labor-intensive approach to a new era dominated by automation and artificial intelligence(AI).This transformative shift is being driven by technological advances,the ever-increasing demand for greater research efficiency and accuracy,and the burgeoning growth of interdisciplinary research.AI models,supported by computational power and algorithms,are drastically reshaping synthetic planning and introducing groundbreaking ways to tackle complex molecular synthesis.In addition,autonomous robotic systems are rapidly accelerating the pace of discovery by performing tedious tasks with unprecedented speed and precision.This article examines the multiple opportunities and challenges presented by this paradigm shift and explores its far-reaching implications.It provides valuable insights into the future trajectory of organic chemistry research,which is increasingly defined by the synergistic interaction of automation and AI.

Optimizing Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer:DCS Hybrid Modeling and Automation in Coal-Fired Power Plant Boilers

In response to escalating challenges in energy conservation and emission reduction,this study delves into the complexities of heat transfer in two-phase flows and adjustments to combustion processes within coal-fired boilers.Utilizing a fusion of hybrid modeling and automation technologies,we develop soft measurement models for key combustion parameters,such as the net calorific value of coal,flue gas oxygen content,and fly ash carbon content,within theDistributedControl System(DCS).Validated with performance test data,thesemodels exhibit controlled root mean square error(RMSE)and maximum absolute error(MAXE)values,both within the range of 0.203.Integrated into their respective automatic control systems,thesemodels optimize two-phase flow heat transfer,finetune combustion conditions,and mitigate incomplete combustion.Furthermore,this paper conducts an in-depth exploration of the generationmechanismof nitrogen oxides(NOx)and low oxygen emission reduction technology in coal-fired boilers,demonstrating a substantial reduction in furnace exit NOx generation by 30%to 40%and the power supply coal consumption decreased by 1.62 g/(kW h).The research outcomes highlight the model’s rapid responsiveness,enabling prompt reflection of transient variations in various economic indicator parameters.This provides a more effective means for real-time monitoring of crucial variables in coal-fired boilers and facilitates timely combustion adjustments,underscoring notable achievements in boiler combustion.The research not only provides valuable and practical insights into the intricacies of two-phase flow heat transfer and heat exchange but also establishes a pioneering methodology for tackling industry challenges.

Development of a Software Application for Automation and Standardization of Document Management Using the Pylatex Library at the Karaganda Buketov University

In today’s educational environment,educators face challenges in manually crafting various documents,leading to inefficiencies and time constraints.To address this,our study introduces a novel software solution designed to automate document creation and standardize processing in academic institutions.Leveraging Python and LaTeX technologies,particularly the PyLaTeX library,the application streamlines document workflows by generating templated PDFs.Through user input,the application automates document structure and formatting,reducing preparation time and effort.Backed by Python,LaTeX,and PyLaTeX,alongside ElectronJS,JavaScript,and Bootstrap for the frontend,our research encompasses a comprehensive methodology,including literature review,software design,experimentation,and efficiency evaluation.Mathematical analysis underscores the application’s effectiveness,demonstrating significant time savings and productivity enhancements.By improving document workflows,our research contributes to advancing educational practices and lays the groundwork for future investigations in this domain.