External Hardware Research Articles

Optimization Approach in Window Function Design for Real-Time Filter Applications

Eliminating the Gibbs oscillations that occur during the Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filter design with the Fourier Series method will ensure correct filtering. For this reason, the development of the window improves the performance of the filter and, therefore, the system. In this study, the cosh window function is designed using Particle Swarm Optimization, which is a preferred optimization method in many areas. Thus, alternatives to the standard results obtained from the existing traditional calculations will be produced, and different windows that perform the same function will be obtained. In addition, exponential and cosh window functions were designed in LabVIEW environment, which is a graphical programming language-based program, and the designed windows were analyzed at different parameter values. LabVIEW provides a fast and easy programming environment, and it provides the opportunity to realize real-time applications with its external hardware. Utilizing this feature, the amplitude spectrum of cosh window designed in LabVIEW is displayed in real time for different window parameter values. As a result, FIR digital filters were designed using cosh window based on optimization and the cosh window designed in LabVIEW, and the distorted EEG signal was filtered using these filters and displayed in real time.

External Hardware and Sensors, for Improved MRI.

Complex engineered systems are often equipped with suites of sensors and ancillary devices that monitor their performance and maintenance needs. MRI scanners are no different in this regard. Some of the ancillary devices available to support MRI equipment, the ones of particular interest here, have the distinction of actually participating in the image acquisition process itself. Most commonly, such devices are used to monitor physiological motion or variations in the scanner's imaging fields, allowing the imaging and/or reconstruction process to adapt as imaging conditions change. "Classic" examples include electrocardiography (ECG) leads and respiratory bellows to monitor cardiac and respiratory motion, which have been standard equipment in scan rooms since the early days of MRI. Since then, many additional sensors and devices have been proposed to support MRI acquisitions. The main physical properties that they measure may be primarily "mechanical" (eg acceleration, speed, and torque), "acoustic" (sound and ultrasound), "optical" (light and infrared), or "electromagnetic" in nature. A review of these ancillary devices, as currently available in clinical and research settings, is presented here. In our opinion, these devices are not in competition with each other: as long as they provide useful and unique information, do not interfere with each other and are not prohibitively cumbersome to use, they might find their proper place in future suites of sensors. In time, MRI acquisitions will likely include a plurality of complementary signals. A little like the microbiome that provides genetic diversity to organisms, these devices can provide signal diversity to MRI acquisitions and enrich measurements. Machine-learning (ML) algorithms are well suited at combining diverse input signals toward coherent outputs, and they could make use of all such information toward improved MRI capabilities. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Exploring the use of Image Target Based Virtual Controller for Mobile Augmented Reality

Abstract: Mobile phones have made the Augmented Reality technology easily available to large audience and people are developing applications for it but the interaction with mobile AR is limited by touchscreen gesture, hand-based gesture can be used but it needs additional sensors like depth sensor and better processing power to work properly and lower end mobile phone devices cannot handle it and also external hardware can be build but around it but it adds to additional cost and is also not affordable to everyone. In this project a prototype application is developed to demonstrate the use of image targets to design a virtual controller that can be used to interact with AR content and implement basic tasks such as touching and moving virtual objects available in the AR space with the help of virtual controller and further the paper discusses about the benefits and drawbacks of such implementation and its future usage.

An analytical model for sensing microvascular blood flow in flaps and organ grafts

Thrombosis after free flap transfer or solid organ allotransplantation surgeries can lead to flap or organ failure requiring re-transplantation and sometimes leading to death. Current technologies can provide early warnings of thrombosis, but the resulting measurements can be influenced by motions associated with route operations in patient care and by subtle aspects associated with the use of the devices. These systems also require wired interfaces to external data acquisition hardware, which limits patient mobility and subject the sensor to artefact from interface disruption attributable to external tension. Furthermore, many existing systems require that the probe be mounted directly on the anastomosed artery or vein which puts these delicate structures at risk for kinking, avulsion, or other disruption. Recent reports describe a wireless, implantable flow sensing probe technology that exploits thermal transport mechanisms to enable continuous monitoring of microvascular flow velocity within peripheral tissue that is remote from the critical blood supply. The capability is useful for the reliable detection of thrombosis in auto- or allotransplanted flaps or organs. Because the probe directly measures temperature rather than flow velocity, analytical models must be used to interpret the results. Here, such a model, accounting for both heat conduction and heat convection (due to blood flow), is developed to determine the blood flow velocity in flaps and organ grafts for this flow sensing probe. The model is validated by in vitro experiments without and with blood flow and further applied to in vivo experiments to predict the flow velocity. The model serves as an important support for this type of flow sensing probe and ensures reliable and accurate flow monitoring after the transplantation operations.

A new QEXAFS system on the general XAFS beamline at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

A new quick-scanning extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (QEXAFS) system for in situ studies has been developed and tested on the general XAFS beamline at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. In the new system, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with 1 MHz sampling rate is used to acquire the detector data while one scaler is used to precisely calculate the scanning energy. Two external hardware trigger signals were adopted to synchronize the data collection of the ADC and the scaler. The software development platforms of the double-crystal monochromator control system and the new QEXAFS system have been unified with the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System. By comparing the spectra acquired by the conventional step-by-step XAFS system with an energy range of 1200 eV at the 7.5um Cu foil K-edge, the new system demonstrates satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and energy resolution. The previous shortcomings, including distortion of the spectrum and energy shift, have been overcome. The tests with different integration times indicated that appropriate parameters not only ensure good experimental results but also enhance the smoothness of the XAFS spectrum at high energy zones. The reliability of the new system has also been verified.

Comprehensive Review on Fault Ride-Through Requirements of Renewable Hybrid Microgrids

The world is interested in applying grid codes to increase the reliability of power systems through a micro-grid (MG). In a common practice, the MG comprises a wind farm, and/or photovoltaic (PV) arrays that are integrated with diesel generators and energy storage devices. Fault ride-through (FRT) capability is an important requirement of grid codes. FRT means that the MG is still connected to the grid during numerous disturbances such as faults. This is required to ensure that there is no loss of power generated due to grid faults. Reactive currents must be injected into the grid to increase the power system stability and restore voltage. To enhance FRT for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based WT installation, internal control modifications of rotor-side converters and grid-side converters are applied. The solutions that depend on these modifications are traditional and advanced control techniques. Advanced control techniques are needed due to the non-linear nature and less robustness of traditional ones. External hardware devices are also added to improve the FRT of DFIG which are classified into protection devices, reactive power injection devices, and energy storage devices. A comprehensive review of FRT enhancements of DFIG-based WTs, PV systems, and MGs using hardware and software methods is presented in this effort. A classification of FRT of PV systems is characterized plus various inverter control techniques are indicated. Several FRT methods for hybrid PV-WT are presented, with full comparisons. The overall operation and the schematic diagrams of the DFIG-WT with FRT methods are discussed and highlighted. Many Robust control methods for controlling grid connected AC, DC and hybrid AC/DC MGs in power systems are addressed. A total of 210 reported articles were review, including the most up-to-date papers published in the literature. This review may be used as the basis to improve system reliability for those interested in FRT methods. Various traditional and advanced control techniques to improve the FRT abilities are summarized and discussed, including protection devices, reactive power injection devices, and energy storage. In addition, the classifications of FRT hardware methods for DFIG are presented, including grid code requirements.

Security-Enhanced Chaotic Optical Communication Based on External Temporal Self-Feedback Hardware Encryption and Decryption

Chaotic optical communication based on conventional external cavity semiconductor laser is a very promising solution for physical layer secure communication. However, the intrinsic time delay signature (TDS) associated with the external cavity length and the potential direct linear filtering (DLF) or synchronization utilization attack greatly threaten the system security. In this work, we propose and numerically demonstrate a novel scheme for TDS suppression and security enhancement of chaotic optical communication based on external temporal self-feedback hardware encryption and decryption. In this scheme, the confidential chaotic modulated signal is temporally scrambled in the time domain by two optical dispersion components and an electro-optic self-feedback phase modulation loop between them, which simultaneously conceal the TDS and enhance the security against malicious attacks. Proof-of-principle demonstration for a security enhanced chaotic optical communication system with error free transmission is successfully achieved. The proposed scheme may provide a promising way for pure-hardware based physical secure chaotic optical communication systems.

Moving Object Detection and Speed Estimation by Digital Image Processing

Intelligent network systems and security surveillance are used for smart city development. Manual and heritage technology is used in surveillance systems to detect speeds higher than usual in developing countries. This process can be automated with ease by leveraging the potential of image processing. Moving object detection is one of the essential tasks in image processing because of its prominent role in many real-world applications. Vehicle speed detection can be achieved by employing image and video processing methods. In this work, a unique approach is proposed for moving object detection and speed estimation based on an integrated approach in video sequence frames as opposed to the most commonly used RADAR and LIDAR devices for traffic law enforcement. Video data is collected and analyzed for speed in real-time without any sensor calibrations,thereby it removes any external hardware dependency requirements. Moving vehicles are segmented out by using frame-subtraction and masking techniques. The proposed algorithm tracks the time taken by the car to cover a predetermined fixed distance in order to calculate its speed.

Fetal Cardiovascular MRI - A Systemic Review of the Literature: Challenges, New Technical Developments, and Perspectives.

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a valuable adjunct to ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital pathologies of the central nervous system, thorax, and abdomen. Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was limited, mainly by the lack of cardiac gating, and has only recently evolved due to technical developments. A literature search was performed on PubMed, focusing on technical advancements to perform fetal CMR. In total, 20 publications on cardiac gating techniques in the human fetus were analyzed. Fetal MRI is a safe imaging method with no developmental impairments found to be associated with in utero exposure to MRI. Fetal CMR is challenging due to general drawbacks (e. g., fetal motion) and specific limitations such as the difficulty to generate a cardiac gating signal to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution. Promising technical advancements include new methods for fetal cardiac gating, based on novel post-processing approaches and an external hardware device, as well as motion compensation and acceleration techniques. Newly developed direct and indirect gating approaches were successfully applied to achieve high-quality morphologic and functional imaging as well as quantitative assessment of fetal hemodynamics in research settings. In cases when prenatal echocardiography is limited, e. g., by an unfavorable fetal position in utero, or when its results are inconclusive, fetal CMR could potentially serve as a valuable adjunct in the prenatal assessment of congenital cardiovascular malformations. However, sufficient data on the diagnostic performance and clinical benefit of new fetal CMR techniques is still lacking. · New fetal cardiac gating methods allow high-quality fetal CMR.. · Motion compensation and acceleration techniques allow for improvement of image quality.. · Fetal CMR could potentially serve as an adjunct to fetal echocardiography in the future.. · Knapp J, Tavares de Sousa M, Schönnagel BP. Fetal Cardiovascular MRI - A Systemic Review of the Literature: Challenges, New Technical Developments, and Perspectives. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 841 - 851.

Complications of Pediatric Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Hardware: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database

Background: The United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database provides access to device related adverse event reports. This database mandates national reporting of complications that lead to “death and serious injury” by manufacturers, importers, and device user facilities. This study used MAUDE to conduct post-market surveillance of pediatric mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) hardware. Methods: A MAUDE database search with terms related to mandibular distraction was performed for report dates between October 1st, 2011, and October 1st, 2021. Duplicate reports, reports from literature reviews, and vague reports were removed. Manufacturers were contacted to establish which devices were pediatric-use-only. Adult-use and mixed-use devices were excluded. Each remaining report was manually reviewed/categorized to compile summative data. Results: Seventy pediatric-use-only device reports were identified. The damaged/non-functioning part of the device included the distractor itself (57.14% of reports), footplate(s) (37.14%), or screw(s) (5.71%). Intraoperative and postoperative complications made up 15.71% and 84.29% of reports, respectively. Twenty percent of complications occurred during the activation phase and 1.43% occurred during device removal. The most common report was failure of the device to advance (37.14% of total complications). Some form of operative treatment or explantation was performed for 51.43% and 34.29% of complications, respectively. External distractors and related hardware made up 8.6% of reports and the most common complication in this group was the screw backing out at 33.3% of all reports. Conclusions: The MAUDE database is a useful tool in evaluation of MDO device-related incidents. Most complications occur in the postoperative period, during the distraction phase, and often require device removal. The most common complication in external distractors was screws backing out. Mindful activation of the distractor, careful device/screw handling, technical improvement of the devices, and thorough preoperative planning may minimize these untoward events.

EOG-Based Human-Computer Interface: 2000-2020 Review.

Electro-oculography (EOG)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) is a relevant technology influencing physical medicine, daily life, gaming and even the aeronautics field. EOG-based BCI systems record activity related to users’ intention, perception and motor decisions. It converts the bio-physiological signals into commands for external hardware, and it executes the operation expected by the user through the output device. EOG signal is used for identifying and classifying eye movements through active or passive interaction. Both types of interaction have the potential for controlling the output device by performing the user’s communication with the environment. In the aeronautical field, investigations of EOG-BCI systems are being explored as a relevant tool to replace the manual command and as a communicative tool dedicated to accelerating the user’s intention. This paper reviews the last two decades of EOG-based BCI studies and provides a structured design space with a large set of representative papers. Our purpose is to introduce the existing BCI systems based on EOG signals and to inspire the design of new ones. First, we highlight the basic components of EOG-based BCI studies, including EOG signal acquisition, EOG device particularity, extracted features, translation algorithms, and interaction commands. Second, we provide an overview of EOG-based BCI applications in the real and virtual environment along with the aeronautical application. We conclude with a discussion of the actual limits of EOG devices regarding existing systems. Finally, we provide suggestions to gain insight for future design inquiries.

Developing Accessible Websites for Differently Abled People Using Open Source Tools

The Internet has revolutionized almost all aspects of life. Unfortunately, the potential of this platform is still not accessible by the differently-abled population. In this paper, a feasible solution is proposed to build a compact and efficient web architecture using open-source tools to address all disabilities on a single website. Three different categories of disabilities are targeted, and considering their active senses, and convenient tools are developed for human-computer interaction without using any external hardware. Resulting in a robust framework of web accessibility tools to enhance web traversal for differently-abled people. As a case study, 25 users tested the practicality of the proposed framework as demonstrated by implementing it on an Indian Government website. It was observed that the tools were appreciated as adequate by approximately 80% of users. This solution has been proposed to the Government of India and has received positive feedback on several tests.

Gesture Recognition using Open CV

With advanced technologies in this digital era, there is always scope for development in the field of computing. Hands free computing is in demand as of today it addresses the needs of quadriplegics. This paper presents a Human computer interaction (HCI) system that is of great importance to amputees and those who have issues with using their hands. The system built is an hand gesture-based interface that acts as a computer mouse to translate finger movements towards the mouse cursor actions with this we have implemented eye recognition/ detection. The system in discussion makes use of a simple webcam and its software requirements arespyder(anaconda 3), OpenCV, NumPy and a few other packages which are necessary for gesture recognition. The gesture detector can be built using the HOG (Histogram of oriented Gradients) feature along with a linear classifier, and the sliding window technique. It is hands free, and no external hardware or sensors are required..

Antiferromagnetic skyrmion based shape-configured leaky-integrate-fire neuron device

Spintronic devices based on antiferromagnetic (AFM) skyrmion motion on the nanotracks have gained significant interest as a key component of neuromorphic data processing systems. AFM skyrmions are favorable over the ferromagnetic (FM) skyrmions as they follow the straight trajectories and prevent its annihilation at the nanotrack edges. In this paper, the AFM skyrmion-based neuron device that exhibits the leaky-integrate-fire functionality is proposed for the first time. It exploits the current-driven skyrmion dynamics on the shape-configured nanotracks that are linearly decreasing and exponentially decaying. The device structure creates the regions from lower to higher energy states for the AFM skyrmions during its motion from the wider to narrower region. This causes the repulsion force from the nanotrack edges to act on the AFM skyrmion thereby, drifting it in the backward direction in order to minimize the system energy. This provides the leaking functionality to the neuron device without any external stimuli and additional hardware cost. The average velocities during the integration and leaky processes are in the order of 103 and 102 m s−1, respectively, for the linearly and exponentially tapered nanotracks. Moreover, the energy of the skyrmion is in the order 10−20 J. Hence, the suggested device opens up the path for the development of high-speed and energy-efficient devices in AFM spintronics for neuromorphic computing.

An Intelligent Location-Based Virtual Indoor Positioning and Navigation Using GPS and Smartphone Sensors

Abstract: Various solutions have been suggested for indoor navigation systems in which most methods require the support of external physical hardware infrastructure which increases the complexity and cost of set-up of supporting hardware requirements, which will always be an issue with such systems. In this paper, we present the design of a smartphone based indoor navigation system. The proposed method is supported by a web based architecture, for easily creating indoor maps and providing an indoor location’s information for navigation and positioning. The system has been implemented and the results indicate that the approach is useful for navigation in indoor environments. Terms: Indoor Positioning, Map Generation, Indoor Navigation.

Design and instrumentation of simultaneous multiple-level magnification selective plane illumination microscopy: a cost-effective imaging system for biological applications

Imaging technology at various scales of spatial resolution is crucial for understanding the physiological and morphological complexity of living organisms. The existing imaging technologies fail to facilitate images of a sample at different magnification levels at a given instant of time. We report the detailed design and instrumentation of an optical imaging system, namely, simultaneous multiple-level magnification selective plane illumination microscopy (with an acronym being given as sMx-SPIM), which addresses one of the technological challenges of imaging biological specimens at different magnification levels simultaneously. The simultaneous magnified views assist in perceiving biological activities occurring over a short period, especially in developmental biology, where the time scales (fraction of seconds) are critical. The proposed imaging system comprises one illumination arm and two detection arms, each of which uses a different magnification to attain multiple magnification levels simultaneously and overcomes the time consumption for changing the objective lens. The system is automated for image acquisition using a custom-built assembly of motion stages and external hardware. Experimental studies are carried out using biological specimens such as Daniorerio and Alliumcepa to validate the home-built sMx-SPIM imaging system at an obtainable spatial (axial) resolution of ∼ 3 to 5 μm.

Machine Learning Based Theft Detection Using Yolo Object Detection

Object detection and tracking could be an immense, vivacious however inconclusive and trending area of computer vision. Due to its immense use in official surveillances, tracking modules applied in security and lots of other’s applications have made researchers to devise a lot of optimized and specialized methods. For validation purpose live input video will be taken for the same where objects will be getting detected and it can be simulated same for real-time through external hardware added. In the end we see the proper optimized and efficient algorithm for object detection and alert for security. Object Detection is computer vision technique used to detect object and identify its localization. This technique is not only used to identify the location but also to identify which type of object it is. This CV technique is used to detect objects in real time while maintaining the level of accuracy. By bringing some advancement in it, this system can be very helpful for people to keep track of their precious things or devices which are very expensive and need to be protected. Open CV (Open-Source Computer Vision Library) is a library of programming functions mainly aimed at real- time computer vision. Open CV features GPU acceleration for real-time operations. This feature helps us to write computationally intensive codes in C/C++ and create a Python wrapper for it so that we can use these wrappers as Python modules.

Embedded Hardware/Software CAN Node Design for Engineering and Research in the Automotive Application Field

This work proposes a design of an embedded CAN node in the form of an electronic development board. The entire circuit is developed around an 8-bit PIC18Fxxxx microcontroller family in order to increase the optimal cost to performance ratio. The proposed board integrates the three CAN standards: physical, link and application layers. In addition to the CAN communication chain, the solution integrates the necessary modules to accomplish a complete application without the need of external hardware. It includes an input button and output LEDs, an integrated LCD display connector, a real time clock with active time memory buck up, a micro SD card for data storage, ESP8260 network interface for internet of things applications (IoT), several supported protocols interfaces like USB & RS232 and on board DS18B20 thermal sensor based on ONE Wire protocol. In addition to these hardware features, a complete Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) has been developed to manage the board software part. In the end, the whole solution validation (Hardware/software) will be done in real case studies and test scenarios that combine two or more modules at the same time. The results of every experiment are verified based on real time signal analysis using a digital oscilloscope.

The Unfolding Space Glove: A Wearable Spatio-Visual to Haptic Sensory Substitution Device for Blind People.

This paper documents the design, implementation and evaluation of the Unfolding Space Glove—an open source sensory substitution device. It transmits the relative position and distance of nearby objects as vibratory stimuli to the back of the hand and thus enables blind people to haptically explore the depth of their surrounding space, assisting with navigation tasks such as object recognition and wayfinding. The prototype requires no external hardware, is highly portable, operates in all lighting conditions, and provides continuous and immediate feedback—all while being visually unobtrusive. Both blind (n = 8) and blindfolded sighted participants (n = 6) completed structured training and obstacle courses with both the prototype and a white long cane to allow performance comparisons to be drawn between them. The subjects quickly learned how to use the glove and successfully completed all of the trials, though still being slower with it than with the cane. Qualitative interviews revealed a high level of usability and user experience. Overall, the results indicate the general processability of spatial information through sensory substitution using haptic, vibrotactile interfaces. Further research would be required to evaluate the prototype’s capabilities after extensive training and to derive a fully functional navigation aid from its features.

Application of Ultrasound Sensor in Construction Safety: Study of Struck-By Hazard

Objectives: To accesses the impact of the sensors in preventing from struck-by hazards in the construction sites; To compare the suitability of available sensor technologies in prevention system of struck-by hazard. Method: The current demand of construction industry is to complete project in the minimum time, to achieve the goal of safety as construction sites are getting complex in terms of management challenge. Available proximity sensors were examined to choose an appropriate sensor for using in early warning system to prevent from struck-by hazards. An early warning system was proposed using ultrasound sensor, that will warn the vehicle operator by visual and acoustical methods to stop the vehicle before collision between vehicle and personal / equipment / material and will prevent from struck-by hazards. Findings: It has been proven that blind spots (visibility problem) are the main reason for struckby accidents. Ultrasound sensors uses sound technology, so that, they are suitable to detect objects in non-visible conditions (Rain, Fog, Night etc.). Ultrasound technology is independent and does not necessitate external hardware installation or processing facilities once it is integrated on the machinery. Proposed early warning system will help construction managers to manage sites more effectively. Novelty: Many researchers have done various studies on struck-by hazard prevention in construction. However, there is no enough focus on, particularly using ultrasound sensors to prevent from struckby hazards. Hence to assess the capability and use of ultrasound sensors in this area of construction is been done Keywords: Construction Safety; Safety Management; Ultrasound Sensor; Struckby Hazard; Prevention System; Early Warning System