Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle semi-active suspension system comprising at least one suspension, providing for: detecting vehicle dynamic quantities during the vehicle ride; using the detected dynamic quantities, determining an index of ride comfort and an index of roadholding; applying a weight factor to the index of ride comfort and to the index of roadholding and, based on a Sky Hook control model, determining a target damping force characteristics for the at least one suspension of the suspension system; controlling the at least one suspension to put the respective damping force characteristics in accordance with the calculated target damping force characteristics. The weight factor is calculated dynamically during the vehicle ride, by means of a fuzzy calculation on the detected vehicle dynamic quantities.

Abstract: A circuit implementing a non-integer order dynamic system includes a neural network that receives at least one input signal and generates therefrom at least one output signal. The input and output signals are related to each by a non-integer order integro-differential relationship through the coefficients of the neural network. A plurality of such circuits, implementing respective non-integer order controllers can be interconnected in an arrangement wherein any of the integral or differential blocks included in one of these circuits generates a signal which is fed to any of the integral or differential blocks of another circuit in the system.

Abstract: The method for authentication and electronic signature is of the private-key, challenge and response type between a user requesting an authorization, via, for example, a smart card and a controller—check terminal—supplying the authorization. To increase security of the authorization or authentication operations, the smart card comprises a chaotic generator generating user's acknowledgement code, which is compared with a comparison code generated by the check terminal using a chaotic generator which is the same.

Abstract: A control device for a focusing system of a compact disk (CD) reader is provided. The control device uses fuzzy logic incorporated to the audio data processing system of the CD reader which is adapted to detect and segregate a light beam reflected by the surface of the compact disk from an incident light beam to the surface. The fuzzy logic control device receives a focus error signal and a derivative of the focus error. It then calculates, using appropriate membership functions, output signals to provide to a focusing servo-system of the CD reader to adjust the distance of the focal plane from the light beam detecting circuitry.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle semi-active suspension system comprising at least one suspension, providing for: detecting vehicle dynamic quantities during the vehicle ride; using the detected dynamic quantities, determining an index of ride comfort and an index of roadholding; applying a weight factor to the index of ride comfort and to the index of roadholding and, based on a Sky Hook control model, determining a target damping force characteristics for the at least one suspension of the suspension system; controlling the at least one suspension to put the respective damping force characteristics in accordance with the calculated target damping force characteristics. The weight factor is calculated dynamically during the vehicle ride, by means of a fuzzy calculation on the detected vehicle dynamic quantities.

Abstract: A circuit implementing a non-integer order dynamic system includes a neural network that receives at least one input signal and generates therefrom at least one output signal. The input and output signals are related to each by a non-integer order integro-differential relationship through the coefficients of the neural network. A plurality of such circuits, implementing respective non-integer order controllers can be interconnected in an arrangement wherein any of the integral or differential blocks included in one of these circuits generates a signal which is fed to any of the integral or differential blocks of another circuit in the system.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle having at least one semiactive suspension arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel and having a damping coefficient that can be varied in a controlled way by an actuator governed by a control device, the control device including an accelerometric sensor generating a vehicle body acceleration signal; a potentiometer generating a suspension position signal; a signal conditioning unit for the calculation of the vehicle body speed and the damping speed; a fuzzy control unit that calculates the subsequent position of the actuator on the basis of the vehicle body speed and of the damping speed; and a driving unit which generates a control signal for the actuator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flyback DC-DC converter includes using a primary control loop to monitor an auxiliary winding of a transformer for determining the amount of energy being transferred to a load. The voltage in the auxiliary winding is induced by current flowing in the secondary winding of the transformer. The primary control loop disables and enables the turning on of a power switch for driving the primary winding of the transformer, and detects the zero-crossing. The duration that the power switch is turned on is established by a secondary control loop using the output voltage for turning off the power switch for a new off phase. The flyback DC-DC converter further includes a fixed frequency oscillator having a frequency lower than the self-oscillating frequency of the converter. The power transferred from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit of the flyback transformer is controlled by introducing a delay on the turn-on instant of the power switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular architecture of a cellular network for improved large-scale integration, of the type which comprises a plurality of fuzzy cellular elements (C.sub.m,n) interconnected to form a matrix of elements having at least m rows and n columns, the row and column numbers describing the location of each element. Each fuzzy processor is adapted for connection to other processors of the same type such that a parallel architecture of the modular type can be implemented. The management of the architecture is facilitated by each submatrix being controlled by an individually dedicated fuzzy processor device.