Gravagne, Ian A.Ford, Walter DavisBaylor University. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering.2006-05-272006-05-2720052006-05-27http://hdl.handle.net/2104/2999Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-121).One of the most interesting applications of a new field of mathematics called dynamic equations on time scales is the modeling, analysis and design of distributed control networks. This thesis documents the development of a scalable, real-time test bed on which to test new time scale-based theories. The Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol is used as the communication backbone. A general description of CAN and reasons for its selection are included. A general purpose computational node is implemented on a desktop computer running the QNX real-time operating system. QNX development entailed writing a driver for an SJA1000-based CAN controller. Charmed Labs’ Xport and the Gameboy Advance (GBA) are used for the network of embedded nodes. Development for the GBA-Xport combination involved interfacing an OpenCores.org CAN core to the Xport’s bus on an FPGA in Verilog and writing a driver class. Appendices include the code and code documentation.viii, 121 p. : ill.1127003 bytesapplication/pdfen-USBaylor University theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact librarywebmaster@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.Distributed parameter systems.Differentiable dynamical systems.Controller Area Network (Computer network).Interactive computer systems.ThesisWorldwide access