• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.3140-3149
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• 2023

In theory, the sharp dose falloff at the distal end of a proton beam allows for high conformal dose to the target. However, conformity has not been fully achieved in practice, primarily due to beam range uncertainty, which is approximately 4% and varies slightly across institutions. To address this issue, we developed a new range verification system prototype: a multi-slit prompt-gamma camera (MSPGC). This system features high prompt-gamma detection sensitivity, an advanced range estimation algorithm, and a precise camera positioning system. We evaluated the range measurement precision of the prototype for single spot beams with varying energies, proton quantities, and positions, as well as for spot-scanning proton beams in a simulated SSPT treatment using a phantom. Our results demonstrated high accuracy (<0.4 mm) in range measurement for the tested beam energies and positions. Measurement precision increased significantly with the number of protons, achieving 1% precision with 5 × 10⁸ protons. For spot-scanning proton beams, the prototype ensured more than 5 × 10⁸ protons per spot with a 7 mm or larger spot aggregation, achieving 1% range measurement precision. Based on these findings, we anticipate that the clinical application of the new prototype will reduce range uncertainty (currently approximately 4%) to 1% or less.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.13-19
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• 1995

A dual purpose robot automation system is developed for both arc welding and spot welding by one robot within a cell. The need for automation of both arc welding and spot welding processes is urgent while the production volume is not so big as to accommodate separate stations for the two processes. Also, space is too narrow for separate stations to be settled down in the factory. A spot welding robot is chosen and the functions for arc welding are implemented in-house at cost of advanced functions. For the spot welding, a single pole type gun is used and the robot has to push down the plate to be wolded, which causes the robot positioning error. Therefore, position error compensation algorithm is developed. The basic functions for the arc welding processes are implemented using the digital I/O board of robot controller, PLC, and A/D conversion PCB. The weaving pattern is taught in meticulously by manual teach. A fixture unit is also developed for dual purpose. The main aspects of the system is presented in this paper especially in the design and implementation procedure. The signal diagrams and sequence logic diagrams are also included. The outcome of the dual purpose welding cell is the increased productivity and good production stability which is indispensable for production volume prediction. Also, it leads to reduction of manufacturing lead time.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.441-449
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• 2021

With advances in autonomous vehicles, there is a growing demand for more accurate position estimation. Especially, this is a case for a moving robot for the indoor operation which necessitates the higher accuracy in position estimation when the robot is required to execute the task at a predestined location. Thus, a method for improving the position estimation which is applicable to both the fixed and the moving object is proposed. The proposed method exploits the initial position estimation from Bluetooth beacon signals as observation signals. Then, it estimates the gravitational acceleration applied to each axis in an inertial frame coordinate through computing roll and pitch angles and combining them with magnetometer measurements to compute yaw angle. Finally, it refines the control inputs for an object with motion dynamics by computing acceleration on each axis, which is used for improving the performance of Kalman filter. The experimental assessment of the proposed algorithm shows that it improves the position estimation accuracy in comparison to a conventional Kalman filter in terms of average error distance at both the fixed and moving states.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate image artifacts in the vicinity of dental implants in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained with different spatial orientations, tube current levels, and metal artifact reduction algorithm (MAR) conditions. Materials and Methods: One dental implant and 2 tubes filled with a radiopaque solution were placed in the posterior region of a mandible using a surgical guide to ensure parallel alignment. CBCT scans were acquired with the mandible in 2 spatial orientations in relation to the X-ray projection plane (standard and modified) at 3 tube current levels: 5, 8, and 11 mA. CBCT scans were repeated without the implant and were reconstructed with and without MAR. The mean voxel and noise values of each tube were obtained and compared using multi-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test(α=0.05). Results: Mean voxel values were significantly higher and noise values were significantly lower in the modified orientation than in the standard orientation (P<0.05). MAR activation and tube current levels did not show significant differences in most cases of the modified spatial orientation and in the absence of the dental implant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Modifying the spatial orientation of the head increased brightness and reduced spatial orientation noise in adjacent regions of a dental implant, with no influence from the tube current level and MAR.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.281-298
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• 2023

Continuous research efforts are being devoted to unmanned mobile platforms for lunar exploration. There is an ongoing demand for real-time information processing to accurately determine the positioning and mapping of areas of interest on the lunar surface. To apply deep learning processing and analysis techniques to practical rovers, research on software integration and optimization is imperative. In this study, a foundational investigation has been conducted on real-time analysis of virtual lunar base construction site images, aimed at automatically quantifying spatial information of key objects. This study involved transitioning from an existing region-based object recognition algorithm to a boundary box-based algorithm, thus enhancing object recognition accuracy and inference speed. To facilitate extensive data-based object matching training, the Batch Hard Triplet Mining technique was introduced, and research was conducted to optimize both training and inference processes. Furthermore, an improved software system for object recognition and identical object matching was integrated, accompanied by the development of visualization software for the automatic matching of identical objects within input images. Leveraging satellite simulative captured video data for training objects and moving object-captured video data for inference, training and inference for identical object matching were successfully executed. The outcomes of this research suggest the feasibility of implementing 3D spatial information based on continuous-capture video data of mobile platforms and utilizing it for positioning objects within regions of interest. As a result, these findings are expected to contribute to the integration of an automated on-site system for video-based construction monitoring and control of significant target objects within future lunar base construction sites.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2017

Generally, loop filter based scalar tracking loops (LF-STL) have been used for global positioning system (GPS) signal tracking algorithm. This paper introduces the accuracy and robustness of linear-quadratic-Gaussian based vector tracking loop (LQG-VTL) algorithm instead of LF-STL. To verify the accuracy of LQG-VTL, we confirm that the measurements estimation errors of the LQG based scalar tracking loops (LQG-STL) are improved by more than 60 % compared to LF-STL. Also, when LQG-VTL is used, measurements estimation errors decrease compared to LQG-STL, and position/velocity estimation errors also decrease as the number of satellites increases. To verify the robustness of LQG-VTL, we confirm that LQG-VTL can estimate position/velocity and measurements successively compared to LF-STL in temporal signal attenuation of 30 dB-Hz during 4 seconds.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.439-446
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• 2014

An amphibious inspection robot system (hereafter AIROS) is being developed to visually inspect the in-containment refueling storage water tank (hereafter IRWST) strainer in APR1400 instead of a human diver. Four IRWST strainers are located in the IRWST, which is filled with boric acid water. Each strainer has 108 sub-assembly strainer fin modules that should be inspected with the VT-3 method according to Reg. guide 1.82 and the operation manual. AIROS has 6 thrusters for submarine voyage and 4 legs for walking on the top of the strainer. An inverse kinematic algorithm was implemented in the robot controller for exact walking on the top of the IRWST strainer. The IRWST strainer has several top cross braces that are extruded on the top of the strainer, which can be obstacles of walking on the strainer, to maintain the frame of the strainer. Therefore, a robot leg should arrive at the position beside the top cross brace. For this reason, we used an image processing technique to find the top cross brace in the sole camera image. The sole camera image is processed to find the existence of the top cross brace using the cross edge detection algorithm in real time. A 5-DOF robot arm that has multiple camera modules for simultaneous inspection of both sides can penetrate narrow gaps. For intuitive presentation of inspection results and for management of inspection data, inspection images are stored in the control PC with camera angles and positions to synthesize and merge the images. The synthesized images are then mapped in a 3D CAD model of the IRWST strainer with the location information. An IRWST strainer mock-up was fabricated to teach the robot arm scanning and gaiting. It is important to arrive at the designated position for inserting the robot arm into all of the gaps. Exact position control without anchor under the water is not easy. Therefore, we designed the multi leg robot for the role of anchoring and positioning. Quadruped robot design of installing sole cameras was a new approach for the exact and stable position control on the IRWST strainer, unlike a traditional robot for underwater facility inspection. The developed robot will be practically used to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the inspection of nuclear power plant components.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2012

Each sensor node can know its location in several ways, if the node process the information based on its geographical position in sensor networks. In the localization scheme using GPS, there could be nodes that don't know their locations because the scheme requires line of sight to radio wave. Moreover, this scheme is high costly and consumes a lot of power. The localization scheme without GPS uses a sophisticated mathematical algorithm estimating location of sensor nodes that may be inaccurate. AHLoS(Ad Hoc Localization System) is a hybrid scheme using both GPS and location estimation algorithm. In AHLoS, the GPS node, which can receive its location from GPS, broadcasts its location to adjacent normal nodes which are not GPS devices. Normal nodes can estimate their location by using iterative triangulation algorithms if they receive at least three beacons which contain the position informations of neighbor nodes. But, there are some cases that a normal node receives less than two beacons by geographical conditions, network density, movements of nodes in sensor networks. We propose an indirect localization scheme for low-density sensor nodes which are difficult to receive directly at least three beacons from GPS nodes in wireless network.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2016

In order to maintain the precise positioning accuracy of the VLBI system, the shape deformation found in antenna structure should be monitored. In fact, reduced the antenna gaining of an electromagnetic wave reception from the Quasar has been particularly expected due to the shape deformation of main reflector in VLBI antenna. Therefore, the importance of shape deformation monitoring for the main reflector has been significantly increased. The main reflector has come out as the high potential for deformation in the VLBI structure. The fact has led us to investigate the monitoring system for the main reflector based on the efficient algorithm in accordance with the close-range photogrammetry, which of expecting to be utilized as the continuous and automated monitoring system for the structure deformation in the near future. Ten fitting lines were estimated with the TLS for feature points of distributed in all directions from the main reflector. The resultant intersection point of estimated fitting lines was calculated by using the nearest point calculation algorithm, based on those non-intersection lines. Following to the intuitive basis for the time series analysis, the results was able to provide the calculation of numerical variation in the intersection point, which is represented in 3-axis,; that we are expecting to open the way for predicting a deformation rate as well as deformation direction

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2005

Several Solid Freeform Fabrication Systems(SFFS) are commercialized in a few companies for rapid prototyping. However, they have many technical problems including the limitation of applicable materials. A new method of agile prototyping is required for the recent manufacturing environments of multi-item and small quantity production. The objectives of this paper include the development of a novel method of SFFS, the CAFL/sup VM/(Computer Aided Fabrication of Lamination for Various Material), and the manufacture of the various material samples for the certification of the proposed system and the creation of new application areas. For these objectives, the technologies for a highly accurate robot path control, the optimization of support structure, CAD modeling, adaptive slicing was implemented. However, there is an important problem with the conventional 2D lamination method. That is the inaccuracy of 3D model surface, which is caused by the stair-type surface generated in virtue of vertical 2D cutting. In this paper, We design the new control algorithm that guarantees the constant speed, precise positioning and tangential cutting on the 5DOF SFFS. We develop the tangential cutting algorithm to be controlled with constant speed and successfully implemented in the 5DOF CAFL/sup VM/ system developed in this paper. Finally, this paper confirms its high-performance through the experimental results from the application into CAFL/sup VM/ system.