Complete Data Acquisition Research Articles

PGS1, a new low cost and low power Portable Geo-physical Station “All in One”. Design and test

PGS1 is a new compact portable seismic station, designed at INGV OBS and Earth Lab, that is specifically intended for the deployment of dense arrays of seismographs on-shore. With its low cost, compact design, high data-quality and long battery life, PGS1 is a perfect solution for seismic monitoring networks. PGS1 design is based on a solid polypropylene suitcase, containing a complete data acquisition system, two battery packs and a photovoltaic panel. The new Earth Lab 5s medium-period seismic sensor is included. The whole system meets the IP67 standard requirements both in transport and in acquisition configuration. PGS1 is normally equipped with one battery pack, one more pack can be added inside the suitcase achieving 40 days of battery life. The station is equipped with a photovoltaic panel, useful to extend the deployment length. Inside the suitcase, there are compartments where to store the seismic sensor, the photovoltaic panel and all the cables. Therefore, the station is very easy to transport.

Strip Layering Diagram-Based Optimum Continuously Varying Pulse Interval Sequence Design for Extremely High-Resolution Spaceborne Sliding Spotlight SAR

Applying a continuous varying pulse interval (CVPI) sequence is of significance for an extremely high-resolution (EHR) spaceborne sliding spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for complete data acquisition. An optimum CVPI sequence should be the one leading to the minimum movement of the echoes of interest in a pulse train. However, such an optimization can be hardly conducted using the traditional timing diagram. Aiming at solving this problem, this article introduces a new graphic tool, referred to as the strip layering diagram, to achieve an optimum CVPI sequence for an EHR spaceborne sliding spotlight SAR. The basic rationale is to explicitly employ a new parameter <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> to directly control the movement of the echoes of interest in a pulse train. The new strip layering diagram consists of two layered subdiagrams: one is the candidate subdiagram, consisting of the candidate strips presenting all the CVPI sequence candidates restricted by the data acquisition geometry; the other is the feasibility subdiagram, consisting of the feasibility strips marking all the feasible regions where the echoes of interest are not submerged by the transmitted pulses or contaminated by the nadir echoes. An optimum CVPI sequence can be accurately and efficiently achieved by sketching a line segment satisfying four conditions inside the strip layering diagram. The detailed comparisons between the new diagram and the traditional timing diagram are also provided, followed by computer simulations to validate the presented approaches.

Evaluation of the ITER Real-Time Framework for Data Acquisition and Processing from Pulsed Gigasample Digitizers

Plasma diagnostics systems are becoming progressively more advanced. Contemporarily, researchers strive to achieve longer plasma pulses, and therefore, appropriate hardware is required. Analogue-to-Digital Converters are applied for data acquisition in many plasma diagnostic systems. Some diagnostic systems need data acquisition with gigahertz sampling frequency. However, gigasample digitizers working in continuous mode generate an enormous stream of data that requires suitable, high-performance processing systems. This becomes even more complicated and expensive for complex multi-channel systems. Nonetheless, numerous plasma diagnostic systems operate in a pulse mode. Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostics is a good example of a multi-channel system that does not require continuous data acquisition. Taking this into consideration, the authors decided to evaluate the CAEN DT5742 gigasample digitizer as a more cost-effective solution that would utilize the pulsed nature of the TS diagnostic system. The paper presents a complete data acquisition and processing system dedicated for plasma diagnostics based on the ITER real-time framework (RTF). Integration of RTF with real hardware is discussed. The authors of the paper have developed software including RTF function block for the CAEN DT5742 digitizer, example data processing algorithms, data archiving and publishing for plasma control system.

Non-invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring in Prediction of the Outcome and Prognosis in Sepsis

Abstract Background Complex disease syndromes such as sepsis require multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Besides the diagnosis of septic shock and early causal therapy, one major challenge in its treatment remains the resuscitation and management of cardiocirculatory and respiratory dysfunction. As Pulmonary artery catheterization poses significant risks and requires specialized training. Technological advances allow for more readily available, noninvasive clinical measurements of hemodynamics. Impedance cardiography (ICG) offers the potential for safe, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring that can be easily applied. Objective To evaluate the effect of cardiac index, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen delivery as measured noninvasively by impedance cardiography (ICG) in prediction of the outcome and prognosis in sepsis. Patients and Methods This is a prospective, observational convenience trial of patients presenting to the ED or the ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock. The patients were part of a cohort that was followed at day 1, day 3 and day7, or until hospital discharge or in-hospital death. After Approval is obtained from the research ethics committee of anesthesia and intensive care department, Ain Shams University. Oral informed consent is obtained from the patient or designated surrogate before data collection begins. Results Twenty-three were enrolled; three were excluded due to an inability to complete data acquisition. The mean cardiac index in nonsurvivors (2.3 L / minÆm2, 95% CI = 2.1 to 2.6) was less than that for survivors (3.3, 95% CI = 2.9 to 3.5). Oxygen delivery as well as lactate were less in non-survivors group. A cardiac index of &amp;lt; 2.5 L / minÆm2 had a sensitivity of 43% (95% CI = 18% to 71%), specificity of 93% (95% CI = 80% to 95%), for predicting in-hospital mortality. Conclusions Early, noninvasive measurement of the cardiac index in critically ill severe sepsis and septic shock patients can be performed in the ED for those who meet criteria for EGDT. There appears to be an association between an initial lower cardiac index as measured noninvasively and in-hospital mortality.

High-Resolution Ultrasound-Guided Perforator Mapping and Characterization by the Microsurgeon in Lower Limb Reconstruction.

Preoperative ultrasound (US)-guided perforator mapping has immensely simplified perforator flap planning. It may be executed by the microsurgeon. Device settings and selection of ultrasound modes are of utmost significance for detection of low-flow microvessels. The following study evaluates different US modes. A prospective complete data acquisition was performed from July 2018 to June 2019 in a subset of patients who underwent US-guided flap planning. Multifrequency linear transducers were used applying five US modes. Brightness (B)-mode, color flow (CF), power Doppler (PD), pulse wave (PW), and B-flow modes were evaluated regarding applicability by microsurgeons. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) were chosen to evaluate flow characteristics. US results were correlated to intraoperative findings. A total number of eight patients (six males and two females) undergoing anterolateral thigh (ALT) or superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap surgery received an extensive standardized US-guided perforator characterization. Qualitative evaluation was performed in B-mode, color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS), PD, and B-flow mode. Quantitative assessment was executed using PW-mode and CCDS measuring the microvessels' diameter (mm) and flow characteristics (PSV, EDV, and RI). CCDS provided a mean diameter of 1.93 mm (range: 1.2-2.8 ± 0.51), a mean systolic peak of 16.9 cm/s (range: 9.9-33.4 ± 7.79), and mean RI of 0.71 (range: 0.55-0.87 ± 0.09) for lower limb perforators. All perforators located with US were verified by intraoperative findings. An optimized, time-effective US mapping algorithm was derived. Qualitative parameters may be evaluated with B-mode, CF, or B-flow. Smallest microvessels may be assessed in PD-mode. Lowering pulse-repetition frequency (PRF)/scale is mandatory to image low-flow microvessels as perforators. Quantitative information may be obtained using PW-mode and the distance-measuring tool in CF-mode. Image and video materials are provided. CCDS proved to be a powerful tool for preoperative perforator characterization when using a structured approach and mapping algorithm. Different techniques may be applied for specific visualizations and performed by the microsurgeon.

DAQling: an open-source data acquisition framework

The Data AcQuisition (DAQ) software for most applications in high energy physics is composed of common building blocks, such as a networking layer, plug-in loading, configuration, and process management. These are often re-invented and developed from scratch for each project or experiment around specific needs. In some cases, time and available resources can be limited and make development requirements difficult or impossible to meet. Moved by these premises, our team developed an open-source lightweight C++ software framework called DAQling, to be used as the core for the DAQ systems of small and medium-sized experiments and collaborations. The framework offers a complete DAQ ecosystem, including a communication layer based on the widespread ZeroMQ messaging library, configuration management based on the JSON format, control of distributed applications, extendable operational monitoring with web-based visualisation, and a set of generic utilities. The framework comes with minimal dependencies, and provides automated host and build environment setup based on the Ansible automation tool. Finally, the end-user code is wrapped in so-called “Modules”, that can be loaded at configuration time, and implement specific roles. Several collaborations already chose DAQling as the core for their DAQ systems, such as FASER, RD51, and NA61/SHINE. We will present the framework and project-specific implementations and experiences.

Using Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in 3D Modeling of Highways with Tree-Covered Roadsides to Estimate Sight Distance

The safe and efficient operation of highways largely depends on the adequate provision of sight distance. Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be utilized to efficiently complete data acquisition very soon after identifying an issue when searching for potential highway safety risks. A double grid flight is proposed to obtain an adequate three-dimensional (3D) recreation of the road environment, ensuring an unbiased sight distance output. Then, a dense cloud point is derived through a Structure from Motion Multi-View Stereo process. The point cloud is classified to produce both a terrain model, characterized by its resolution, and a 3D-object model, characterized by the maximum edge length of the entities. The resulting road environment model is utilized to calculate sight distance in a geographic information system. The results enabled the detection of accident-prone locations caused by sight distance limitations. Moreover, the impact of the 3D modeling parameters on the results was assessed.

Neuropixels Data-Acquisition System: A Scalable Platform for Parallel Recording of 10 000+ Electrophysiological Signals

Although CMOS fabrication has enabled a quick evolution in the design of high-density neural probes and neural-recording chips, the scaling and miniaturization of the complete data-acquisition systems has happened at a slower pace. This is mainly due to the complexity and the many requirements that change depending on the specific experimental settings. In essence, the fundamental challenge of a neural-recording system is getting the signals describing the largest possible set of neurons out of the brain and down to data storage for analysis. This requires a complete system optimization that considers the physical, electrical, thermal and signal-processing requirements, while accounting for available technology, manufacturing constraints and budget. Here we present a scalable and open-standards-based open-source data-acquisition system capable of recording from over 10,000 channels of raw neural data simultaneously. The components and their interfaces have been optimized to ensure robustness and minimum invasiveness in small-rodent electrophysiology.

Encrypted Tag Design for RFID Systems

The wireless implantable RFID tag combines wireless communication technology, medical sensor technology, and data conversion technology to achieve continuous detection of body indicators. The implantable tag system includes a small signal detection circuit, a readout circuit to complete sensor data acquisition and conversion, and a digital baseband and RF front end to perform communication with an external reader. The digital baseband processor handles communication protocols, controls communication flow, configures the RF front end, and controls the sampling of human body data by the ADC, which is a key component of the implantable tag system.Based on the 13.56MHz IS015693 radio frequency identification protocol, this paper designs and implements an encrypted tag baseband. Through the analysis of the protocol and the application requirements of the tag, the system architecture of the digital baseband is formulated. Subsequently, the functional logic was verified using Cadence’s Incisive EDA tool and synthesized using Synopsys’ EDA synthesis tool Design Compiler. The simulation results show that the logic function is correct. The synthesis tool report shows that under the 0.13um process, timing closures. The setup time and hold time meet the requirements.

A Software Framework for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Network Towards Environmental Monitoring

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is typically composed of spatially distributed miniature sensors that help collect large amounts of real-time environmental data from buildings. These environmental data (e.g., temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration) can assist a series of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to increase the building energy efficiency. From a system design perspective, heterogeneous wireless sensor networks need to address two challenges. First, sensor data acquisition, conversion, fusion, and packaging involve a series of software processing. Since each type of environmental sensor typically has unique processing requirements, it is difficult to develop an efficient software framework to combine the processing of multiple heterogeneous sensors. Second, during normal operation of a heterogeneous wireless sensor network, if users insert or remove some environmental sensors, the entire WSN system should operate normally. In this work, in order to solve the above two system design challenges, we have developed a low-power, low-cost, small form-factor WSN development platform, and its software framework can perform efficient data acquisition, conversion, fusion, and packaging for multiple heterogeneous sensors. Our proposed software framework enables easy and rapid WSN system deployment without affecting the overall functionality of each node. The proposed design differs from existing WSN platforms in that it emphasizes advanced high-level usability and reduces time to market without sacrificing low-level features. The proposed WSN system has been implemented and tested in an office building for indoor fire hazard detection. The experimental results show that our software framework can successfully complete data acquisition, conversion, fusion, and packaging tasks for three heterogeneous environmental sensors. In addition, we have verified that our software framework supports robust system operation when inserting or removing sensors from an existing heterogeneous WSN system.

Design of extensible multi-source signal acquisition device based on DSP and STM32

As large number of multi-type sensor signals were required to be collected in numerical control machine tool test, general acquisition system could only collect certain type of sensor signal, which did not have extended function so that its application scope in machine tool test was limited, leading to excessive acquisition equipment categories and insufficient compatibility with each other. Aiming at above-mentioned problems, a kind of extensible multisource acquisition system based on DSP and STM32 was designed, which took microcontroller as DSP and STM32. DSP microcontroller was mainly used to complete data acquisition and output function, while STM32 microcontroller was mainly used to complete data storage and communication function. Acquisition system had multi-source signal interface, which could automatically identify analogue signal type and could support parallel acquisition for temperature, vibration, voltage, current, pressure, displacement, and other types of signals. Extended function could be realised so as to increase multi-channel analogy input interface through removable extended module so as to satisfy acquisition requirements for different machine tool tests.

Interior tomography in microscopic CT with image reconstruction constrained by full field of view scan at low spatial resolution

In high resolution (microscopic) CT applications, the scan field of view should cover the entire specimen or sample to allow complete data acquisition and image reconstruction. However, truncation may occur in projection data and results in artifacts in reconstructed images. In this study, we propose a low resolution image constrained reconstruction algorithm (LRICR) for interior tomography in microscopic CT at high resolution. In general, the multi-resolution acquisition based methods can be employed to solve the data truncation problem if the project data acquired at low resolution are utilized to fill up the truncated projection data acquired at high resolution. However, most existing methods place quite strict restrictions on the data acquisition geometry, which greatly limits their utility in practice. In the proposed LRICR algorithm, full and partial data acquisition (scan) at low and high resolutions, respectively, are carried out. Using the image reconstructed from sparse projection data acquired at low resolution as the prior, a microscopic image at high resolution is reconstructed from the truncated projection data acquired at high resolution. Two synthesized digital phantoms, a raw bamboo culm and a specimen of mouse femur, were utilized to evaluate and verify performance of the proposed LRICR algorithm. Compared with the conventional TV minimization based algorithm and the multi-resolution scout-reconstruction algorithm, the proposed LRICR algorithm shows significant improvement in reduction of the artifacts caused by data truncation, providing a practical solution for high quality and reliable interior tomography in microscopic CT applications. The proposed LRICR algorithm outperforms the multi-resolution scout-reconstruction method and the TV minimization based reconstruction for interior tomography in microscopic CT.

Implementation of UWB indoor location and distance measurement based on TOF algorithm

In order to achieve indoor positioning, based on the distance positioning algorithm is essential, it designs a company using DecaWave DW1000 chip and STM32 embedded control chip using the TOF algorithm and ranging system, indoor location in wireless sensor network. The whole system is divided into hardware and software. The hardware part includes anchor nodes and node labels, set up node using DW1000 chip and STM32 chip combination, the software using C language to write the STM32 location algorithm and control information controller, complete data acquisition, transmission and processing functions, in order to get the node label and the anchor node distance.

A portable control and data acquisition solution using EPICS, MARTe and MDSplus

A modern Control and Data Acquisition System (CODAS) must provide an integrated management of supervision, data acquisition and real-time control and a data centric view of the system combining raw, elaborated and configuration data. These requirements have been addressed by the CODAS system of the SPIDER experiment in the ITER Neutral Beam Test Facility. The solution adopted in SPIDER CODAS integrates, by means of few interface components, three frameworks used in nuclear fusion and accelerator communities. A further refinement has recently started, aiming at providing a solution that is complete and generic, and, as such, easily portable to new applications, ranging from small systems to future fusion experiments. The refined system described in the paper will be deployed in the ECT-FALCON Test Facility, used to test the ITER EC launcher components and the European Gyrotron prototype. Its implementation in other test facilities is foreseen, in order to provide a fast track to the development of complete and integrated control and data acquisition.

Non-contact rolling surface wave measurements on asphalt concrete

Rolling surface wave measurements on a single, thin asphalt concrete (AC) layer are presented to investigate their use in rapid nondestructive field tests. An array of 47 micro-electro-mechanical sensor (MEMS) microphones is mounted on a trailer together with an automated impact source. Multichannel recordings from single impacts are obtained at 80 equally spaced array positions as the trailer moves at a constant speed. The complete battery-powered data acquisition system enables large-scale testing of newly built pavements. Multiple sets of test results show good repeatability for the assessed shear wave velocity and demonstrate the strong temperature dependency of AC. The presented results indicate a possible application for quality assurance of AC using rolling surface wave measurements.

First LHC transverse beam size measurements with the beam gas vertex detector**Research supported by the HL-LHC project

The Beam Gas Vertex detector (BGV) is an innovative beam profile monitor based on the reconstruction of beam-gas interaction vertices which is being developed as part of the High Luminosity LHC project. Tracks are identified using several planes of scintillating fibres, located outside the beam vacuum chamber and perpendicular to the beam axis. The gas pressure in the interaction volume is adjusted such as to provide an adequate trigger rate, without disturbing the beam. A BGV demonstrator monitoring one of the two LHC beams was fully installed and commissioned in 2016. First data and beam size measurements show that the complete detector and data acquisition system is operating as expected. The BGV operating parameters are now being optimised and the reconstruction algorithms developed to produce accurate and fast reconstruction on a CPU farm in order to provide real time beam profile measurements to the LHC operators.

Development and anti-swing control of an automated measurement robot system for multi-stud tensioning machine

ABSTRACTDuring nuclear power plant maintenance, the multi-stud tensioning machine is used to perform opening/sealing the cap of the reactor pressure vessel. This process incorporates elongations of 58 studs, whose extension values are monitored in real time by measurement meters. Conventionally, the placements of the meters are performed by human labor, which is time consuming and radioactively hazardous. In this paper, we introduce an automated measurement robot system, consisting of 58 node robots and multiple field bus based distributed control devices, to complete meter placement and data acquisition tasks without human involvement in the hazardous working site. In order to eliminate the swing phenomenon of the wire-driven meter adaptor on the robot distal end, extra-insensitive input shaper is employed for robot motion control, thus saving the overall operation time from traditionally over 10 minutes to less than 22 s.

Item Response Theory and Computerized Adaptive Testing for Orthopaedic Outcomes Measures.

The use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to objectively and quantifiably assess patient symptomatology allows tracking of symptoms over time, measurement of the effect of healthcare interventions, and performance of cost-effectiveness analyses to assess and compare the value of treatment options. Many of the PROMs historically used had limited versatility because they were developed using classical test theory, which generates static tests that are not comparable with other measures assessing similar outcomes. Recently developed PROMs, however, were designed according to the principles of the newer item response theory (IRT), which allows for the creation of dynamic instruments deliverable in a variety of forms that are readily comparable with similar measures. IRT also enables computerized adaptive testing to decrease the burden of using PROMs by allowing rapid and complete data acquisition. IRT-based instruments are suitable for patient care and research and have been validated in a variety of populations, many of which are relevant to orthopaedic populations.

Sampling FEE and Trigger-less DAQ for the J-PET Scanner

In this paper, we present a complete Data Acquisition System (DAQ) together with the readout mechanisms for the J-PET tomography scanner. In general detector readout chain is constructed out of Front-End Electronics (FEE), measurement devices like Time-to-Digital or Analog-to-Digital Converters (TDCs or ADCs), data collectors and storage. We have developed a system capable for maintaining continuous readout of digitized data without preliminary selection. Such operation mode results in up to 8 Gbps data stream, therefore it is required to introduce a dedicated module for online event building and feature extraction. The Central Controller Module, equipped with Xilinx Zynq SoC and 16 optical transceivers serves as such true real time computing facility. Our solution for the continuous data recording (trigger-less) is a novel approach in such detector systems and assures that most of the information is preserved on the storage for further, high-level processing. Signal discrimination applies an unique method of using LVDS buffers located in the FPGA fabric.

Development, Validation, and Application of an On-Board Sound Intensity Calibrator for Tire–Noise Measurement

The standardization and growth of the application of the measurement of tire–pavement noise with on-board sound intensity (OBSI) has created a need for relative calibration and validation of the complete data acquisition systems of different users. The devices available to perform sound intensity calibration generally rely on external signal generators to drive a coupler or are limited to calibration at only one frequency. A system has been developed using components from various suppliers to perform relative calibration between users over the range from 400 to 5,000 Hz. The repeatability of the OBSI calibrator was quantified in bench-top testing, and its reproducibility was examined through application by multiple users. The stability of the calibrator has been confirmed over the past 3 years and was found to be consistent when applied by multiple users. The availability and performance of the calibrator present the opportunity for users to have confidence in their systems, particularly systems developed internally. The calibrator also facilitates the exchange of OBSI results between users, enabling the use of noise performance as one basis for pavement selection. This paper presents the development, validation, and application of the OBSI calibrator.