Hardware evolution of a digital circuit using a custom VLSI architecture
- Authors: Van den Berg, Allan Edward
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Field programmable gate arrays , Sequential machine theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020984
- Description: This research investigates three solutions to overcoming portability and scalability concerns in the Evolutionary Hardware (EHW) field. Firstly, the study explores if the V-FPGA—a new, portable Virtual-Reconfigurable-Circuit architecture—is a practical and viable evolution platform. Secondly, the research looks into two possible ways of making EHW systems more scalable: by optimising the system’s genetic algorithm; and by decomposing the solution circuit into smaller, evolvable sub-circuits or modules. GA optimisation is done is by: omitting a canonical GA’s crossover operator (i.e. by using an algorithm); applying evolution constraints; and optimising the fitness function. The circuit decomposition is done in order to demonstrate modular evolution. Three two-bit multiplier circuits and two sub-circuits of a simple, but real-world control circuit are evolved. The results show that the evolved multiplier circuits, when compared to a conventional multiplier, are either equal or more efficient. All the evolved circuits improve two of the four critical paths, and all are unique. Thus, it is experimentally shown that the V-FPGA is a viable hardware-platform on which hardware evolution can be implemented; and how hardware evolution is able to synthesise novel, optimised versions of conventional circuits. By comparing the and canonical GAs, the results verify that optimised GAs can find solutions quicker, and with fewer attempts. Part of the optimisation also includes a comprehensive critical-path analysis, where the findings show that the identification of dependent critical paths is vital in enhancing a GA’s efficiency. Finally, by demonstrating the modular evolution of a finite-state machine’s control circuit, it is found that although the control circuit as a whole makes use of more than double the available hardware resources on the V-FPGA and is therefore not evolvable, the evolution of each state’s sub-circuit is possible. Thus, modular evolution is shown to be a successful tool when dealing with scalability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Van den Berg, Allan Edward
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Field programmable gate arrays , Sequential machine theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020984
- Description: This research investigates three solutions to overcoming portability and scalability concerns in the Evolutionary Hardware (EHW) field. Firstly, the study explores if the V-FPGA—a new, portable Virtual-Reconfigurable-Circuit architecture—is a practical and viable evolution platform. Secondly, the research looks into two possible ways of making EHW systems more scalable: by optimising the system’s genetic algorithm; and by decomposing the solution circuit into smaller, evolvable sub-circuits or modules. GA optimisation is done is by: omitting a canonical GA’s crossover operator (i.e. by using an algorithm); applying evolution constraints; and optimising the fitness function. The circuit decomposition is done in order to demonstrate modular evolution. Three two-bit multiplier circuits and two sub-circuits of a simple, but real-world control circuit are evolved. The results show that the evolved multiplier circuits, when compared to a conventional multiplier, are either equal or more efficient. All the evolved circuits improve two of the four critical paths, and all are unique. Thus, it is experimentally shown that the V-FPGA is a viable hardware-platform on which hardware evolution can be implemented; and how hardware evolution is able to synthesise novel, optimised versions of conventional circuits. By comparing the and canonical GAs, the results verify that optimised GAs can find solutions quicker, and with fewer attempts. Part of the optimisation also includes a comprehensive critical-path analysis, where the findings show that the identification of dependent critical paths is vital in enhancing a GA’s efficiency. Finally, by demonstrating the modular evolution of a finite-state machine’s control circuit, it is found that although the control circuit as a whole makes use of more than double the available hardware resources on the V-FPGA and is therefore not evolvable, the evolution of each state’s sub-circuit is possible. Thus, modular evolution is shown to be a successful tool when dealing with scalability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation into the application of the IEEE 1394 high performance serial bus to sound installation contro
- Authors: Klinkradt, Bradley Hugh
- Date: 2003 , 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004899 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using existing IP-based control and monitoring protocols within professional audio installations utilising IEEE 1394 technology. Current control and monitoring technologies are examined, and the characteristics common to all are extracted and compiled into an object model. This model forms the foundation for a set of evaluation criteria against which current and future control and monitoring protocols may be measured. Protocols considered include AV/C, MIDI, QSC-24, and those utilised within the UPnP architecture. As QSC-24 and the UPnP architecture are IP-based, the facilities required to transport IP datagrams over the IEEE 1394 bus are investigated and implemented. Example QSC-24 and UPnP architecture implementations are described, which permit the control and monitoring of audio devices over the IEEE 1394 network using these IP-based technologies. The way forward for the control and monitoring of professional audio devices within installations is considered, and recommendations are provided. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Klinkradt, Bradley Hugh
- Date: 2003 , 2013-05-24
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004899 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using existing IP-based control and monitoring protocols within professional audio installations utilising IEEE 1394 technology. Current control and monitoring technologies are examined, and the characteristics common to all are extracted and compiled into an object model. This model forms the foundation for a set of evaluation criteria against which current and future control and monitoring protocols may be measured. Protocols considered include AV/C, MIDI, QSC-24, and those utilised within the UPnP architecture. As QSC-24 and the UPnP architecture are IP-based, the facilities required to transport IP datagrams over the IEEE 1394 bus are investigated and implemented. Example QSC-24 and UPnP architecture implementations are described, which permit the control and monitoring of audio devices over the IEEE 1394 network using these IP-based technologies. The way forward for the control and monitoring of professional audio devices within installations is considered, and recommendations are provided. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Date Issued: 2003
An investigation into the use of IEEE 1394 for audio and control data distribution in music studio environments
- Authors: Laubscher, Robert Alan
- Date: 1999 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006483 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using a new digital interconnection technology, the IEEE-1394 High Performance Serial Bus, for audio and control data distribution in local and remote music recording studio environments. Current methods for connecting studio devices are described, and the need for a new digital interconnection technology explained. It is shown how this new interconnection technology and developing protocol standards make provision for multi-channel audio and control data distribution, routing, copyright protection, and device synchronisation. Feasibility is demonstrated by the implementation of a custom hardware and software solution. Remote music studio connectivity is considered, and the emerging standards and technologies for connecting future music studio utilising this new technology are discussed. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Laubscher, Robert Alan
- Date: 1999 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006483 , Digital electronics , Sound -- Recording and reproducing -- Digital techniques , MIDI (Standard) , Music -- Data processing , Computer sound processing
- Description: This thesis investigates the feasibility of using a new digital interconnection technology, the IEEE-1394 High Performance Serial Bus, for audio and control data distribution in local and remote music recording studio environments. Current methods for connecting studio devices are described, and the need for a new digital interconnection technology explained. It is shown how this new interconnection technology and developing protocol standards make provision for multi-channel audio and control data distribution, routing, copyright protection, and device synchronisation. Feasibility is demonstrated by the implementation of a custom hardware and software solution. Remote music studio connectivity is considered, and the emerging standards and technologies for connecting future music studio utilising this new technology are discussed. , Microsoft Word , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
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