NI myRIO Research Articles

Control of an Anthropomorphic Manipulator using LuGre Friction Model - Design and Experimental Validation

Automation technology has been extensively recognized as an emerging field in various industrial applications. Recent breakthrough in flexible automation is primarily due to deployment of robotic arms or manipulators. Autonomy in these manipulators is essentially linked with the advancements in non-linear control systems. The objective of this research is to propose a robust control algorithm for a five degree of freedom (DOF) robotic arm to achieve superior performance and reliability in the presence of friction. A friction compensation-based non-linear control has been proposed and realized for the robotic manipulator. The dynamic model of the robot has been derived by considering the dynamic friction model. The proposed three-state model is validated for all the joints of the manipulator. The integral sliding mode control (ISMC) methodology has been designed; the trajectories of system every time begin from the sliding surface and it eliminates the reaching phase with assistance of integral term in the sliding surface manifold. The designed control law has been first simulated in Matlab/Simulink environment to characterize the control performance in terms of tracking of various trajectories. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control law with model-based friction compensation. The transient parameters like settling and peak time have improvement as well have better results with friction than without considering the friction. The proposed control law is then realized on an in-house developed autonomous articulated robotic rducational platform (AUTAREP) and NI myRIO hardware interfaced with LabVIEW. Experimental results also witnessed the trajectory tracking by the robotic platform.

Design and FPGA Implementation of Intelligent Fault Detection in Smart Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, both the design and hardware of Fault Detection (FD) in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) was implemented using FPGA NI myRIO kit, wireless temperature sensors network with small size, low cost, and low power consumption. Work data processing was performed using pattern recognition methods to detect residual generation. LabVIEW software environment was employed for system performance. In this paper. The design of the hardware circuit NI myRIO kit received temperature from the sensors. The examined system showed an ability to monitor and track any fault or fire that may occur; based on the results, if collected data is exceeded predetermined threshold, then the system is responding, a direct connection is using WIFI to process this data by LabVIEW.

Comparison of Different Design Alternatives for Hardware-in-the-Loop of Power Converters

This paper aims to compare different design alternatives of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) for emulating power converters in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). It proposes various numerical formats (fixed and floating-point) and different approaches (pure VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL), Intellectual Properties (IPs), automated MATLAB HDL code, and High-Level Synthesis (HLS)) to design power converters. Although the proposed models are simple power electronics HIL systems, the idea can be extended to any HIL system. This study compares the design effort of different coding methods and numerical formats considering possible synthesis tools (Precision and Vivado), and it comprises an analytical discussion in terms of area and speed. The different models are synthesized as ad-hoc modules in general-purpose FPGAs, but also using the NI myRIO device as an example of a commercial tool capable of implementing HIL models. The comparison confirms that the optimum design alternative must be chosen based on the application (complexity, frequency, etc.) and designers’ constraints, such as available area, coding expertise, and design effort.

Embedded Data Processing Using NI MyRIO and LabVIEW for Magnetic Field Measurements

Embedded Data Processing Using NI MyRIO and LabVIEW for Magnetic Field Measurements

Design and Implementation of an Embedded Control System for the Interconnection of a DC Microgrid to the AC Main Network

This paper presents the design of an embedded control system and its implementation on a DC-AC bidirectional converter for the interconnection of a DC Microgrid (MG) with the AC Main Network (MN). This control system was designed in LabVIEW and implemented on the NI myRIO platform, and it was used for the synchronization of the MG with the MN. Its main goal is to keep the stability of the DC bus when energy is supplied to or extracted from the MN. The MG is composed of two 500 W photovoltaic panel arrays (PAs), each with a Boost DC-DC converter to generate a DC bus of 190 V, and a DC-AC bidirectional converter that interconnects the MG with the MN. The control system was tested considering nonl-inear loads such as computers, commercial fluorescent lamps, and LED, with the aim to analyze the response of the system to real life conditions. Results show that the embedded control system is capable to stabilize the DC bus at a voltage level of 190 V ± 5% when interacting with the different non-linear loads connected to the MG. This is an improvement on the control of the voltage variation previously presented in the literature of 190 V ± 10%.

Design and Implementation of Hybrid Compression Algorithm for Personal Health Care Big Data Applications

Advanced telemedicine requires the gathering of big data through wireless body area network or internet of things based applications. These networks perform several tasks that consume maximum energy while transmitting the big data, which in turn discharges the battery and would require a battery replacement frequently. Also, the big data to be transferred and stored would require a significant amount of storage space. The above problem is rectified by compressing the big data acquired from the sensors before transmission that would reduce the consumption of power as well as use the storage space efficiently. In this paper, a hybrid compression algorithm (HCA) based on Rice Golomb Coding is proposed. The efficiency of the proposed compression algorithm is tested on ECG data from the physionet ATM database and real-time data acquired from the ECG sensor. The proposed HCA comprises of both lossy and lossless compression. The real-time implementation of the proposed compression algorithm is carried out using NI myRIO hardware and LabVIEW graphical tool. The compressed data then stored in the Google cloud, and the analysis of storage space using the HCA shows a reduction of 70% storage space for 10 minutes of ECG data.

Real-time Fuzzy Image Processing Method for Visual feedback of a Follower Robot

In this paper, an adaptive visual feedback system and controller has been designed and implemented in real-time to control the movements of a line follower robot to be smoother and faster. The robot consists of a couple of motorized wheels, the real-time controller and a CMOS camera as the only sensor for detecting line and feedback. The measurement based on real-time image processing and motor drive feedback used in this robot makes it robust to the obstacles and surface disturbances that may deviate robot. The image processing algorithm is adaptive to the line’s color and width too. Image processing techniques have been implemented in real-time to detect the line in the image frame and extract the necessary information (like line’s edge, coordinates and angle). A NI myRIO module is used as a stand-alone hardware unit and RT (Real-Time) target for implementation of controllers and image processing in LabVIEW environment. Both results of real-time and non-real-time implementation of controllers have been compared. To show the performance of real-time image processing in the control of this robot, three types of controllers (i.e. P, PI and Fuzzy controllers) have been implemented for line following tests and the results have been compared. At the end, it was found that the fuzzy controller controls the robot movements smoother, faster, with less errors and quicker response time compare to the other controllers

Smart Garbage Collection and Dumping System using NI myRIO and Arduino

The key issue in waste management system to ensure healthy environment is Garbage Collection and Dumping In traditional method, at public places garbage bins are placed to collect the garbage, which is usually collected by the garbage collection truck with the help of employed personnel and will be sent to the dumping yard to dump the collected garbage. These bins overflowed frequently before the routine maintenance takes place, which leads to bad order and unhygienic environment causing various life-costing diseases. As this problem is increasing day-by-day, an automated system for effective waste management system is desired which can collect garbage timely without human involvement is proposed and is implemented using NI myRIO, Arduino UNO and NI LabVIEW software. The proposed system consists of two main sub systems- Big Bin and small bin. Big bin moves in a regular predefined path marked as black line in regular time intervals to collect garbage from Small Bins placed in different locations. The proposed system is capable to automate the entire garbage collection and dumping process to ensure healthy environment.

Solar tracker platform development for energy efficiency improvement of photovoltaic panels

Solar energy systems have emerged over the last decades as the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy resources available worldwide. Solar trackers are devices specially developed to enhance the energy efficiency of solar energy systems. This paper presents the design and implementation stages of a reconfigurable hardware technology-based two-axis solar tracker platform, specially conceived to improve the energy efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The main module of this platform is the NI MyRIO ready-to-use development system built upon a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processor that controls the entire solar tracker unit. Optimal tracking of the sun movement and obtaining the maximal energy efficiency rate is achieved by simultaneous real-time controlling both the captured sunlight intensity and PV cell temperature magnitudes. In this way, a robust and versatile positioning system has been developed that performs a high precision and accurate tracking pathway. All the control algorithms are implemented there under the LabView graphical programming software toolkit. The final solution boosts in a useful and modularized tracking system that looks useful in a wide range of applications both in industrial and domestic project sites with different power scales.

Developing a wireless real-time automated home approach utilizing NI MyRIO microcontroller board and LabVIEW platform

<p>In this paper, a design process and a hardware implementation for a wireless real-time home automation system approach based on NI MyRIO microcontroller board and LabVIEW platform has been developed. The proposed automated system has two hardware elements: the first one is a personal computer as a system main server hosting the designed LabVIEW platform and the second element is a NI MyRIO microcontroller board for managing the operating between the appliances and the sensors. The appliances can be automatically monitored, controlled, and accessed in response to the signals from the related sensors or manually by the system end-user through smart phone based on Wi-Fi and cloud computing technology. To approve the reliability of the proposed automated system, a hardware realization for three appliances: temperature management, light energy saving, and biometric security system of face recognition with fingerprint check has been introduced. The proposed system has a simple structure, economically cost effective and flexible scaling up for a proper automated home future.</p>

Thyristor voltage regulator control algorithm research

The article deals with the development and research of thyristor voltage regulator (TVR) dual-zone control algorithm in the electrical distribution networks 6-20 kV. The TVR control system hardware and software complex based on the algorithm was developed using LabVIEW and NI myRIO controllers. The transverse, longitudinal and longitudinal-transversal voltage regulation modes experimental research was conducted by the TVR prototype. The experimental research results confirmed the developed algorithm and its program realization effectiveness and efficiency.

Design of IoT based Garbage Segregation for Automatic Smart Trash Bin using NI LabVIEW

A Smart Trash Bin segregates wastes by itself as degradable wastes and non-degradable wastes with the help of sensors and motors, interfaced with NI myRIO. Rapid changes in technology, low initial cost and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of wastes all around the globe. People dump wastes on roadsides, which is not picked up regularly by the people responsible. It s proposed to separate the wastes into categories like degradable and non-degradable will take place in an effectively closed manner .The entire process of waste input, level and segregation is monitored and controlled by the reconfigurable IO using sensors , thereby reducing the open decomposition of organic wastes, thus curbing the growth of micro organisms.

Sensor Based Smart Monitoring and Controlling System for Cultivation using Labview

Agriculture is the most important back bone of India. Now a day’s farmers are reduced because of various problems like water problem, real estate, technology etc. Here our proposed system is to make use of existing technology to improve the farming percentage, gardening and nursery in a smart, effective and accurate method. Our proposed design is an automatic smart monitoring and controlling field system based on IoT which is implemented with NI LabVIEW and NI myRIO interfacing device. NI LabVIEW is a tool for testing, automation, measurement and monitoring system. NI myRIO is an embedded hardware where sensors like Temperature sensor, Moisture sensor, Rain sensor, Humidity sensor, Motor and communication protocols are interfaced with the help of LabVIEW. In this paper, we proposed ground water harvesting though that rain water is stored in the water tank which can be used in future for sprinkling water when soil moisture is less. This proposed design is the best way of economical accuracy and low-cost maintenance system. The concept of IoT in this paper is to monitor the status of the field like water level indicator in the tank, temperature of the field, to know the moisture of the field and detection of rain by using mobile phone or PC or Tab form any part of the world. This research will help the small-scale, mid-scale and high-level forming lands and it will increase the yield percentage and save the agriculture.

Building Wireless Control Applications with XBee and LabVIEW

This study analyzed the application of the XBee technology for control applications embedded in big machinery. In particular, it presented the control layout, topology, design of frames, and error control mechanisms that are required for implementing wireless control networked applications. This study was devoted to presenting experimental use cases of wireless control systems that help the scientific community to design and implement new control systems. Experimental tests were carried out over a Single Input Single Output (SISO) control application to evaluate its use in close loop applications. The results of these tests have been discussed in detail. In order to clarify the use of XBee in control applications, a high precision positioning application has been presented. It involved a piezoelectric actuator that was remotely controlled by means of a Proportional Integral (PI) controller, which was implemented in LabVIEW over a NI myRIO platform. Both the sensor and the actuators were connected with the NI myRIO by means of the XBee anthenae. The results showed that even though XBee technologies present some drawbacks, such as a lower performance when compared to wired connections and the influence of interferences, they have the potential to be used in some scenarios for non-critical control applications.

Perancangan Model Balancing Robot untuk Sarana Transportasi Tenaga Medis

Robot telah menjadi peralatan mekanik yang dapat melakukan tugas fisik, baik dengan pengawasan atau menggunakan program yang telah didefinisikan terlebih dulu (kecerdasan buatan). Salah satu jenis robot adalah mobile robot yang memiliki mekanisme penggerak berupa roda (wheel) dan atau kaki (leg), sehingga dapat berpindah tempat dari suatu tempat ke tempat yang lain. Salah satu jenis mobile robot diantaranya adalah balancing robot yang beroda dua dan dapat menyeimbangkan diri terhadap permukaan bumi. Pada penelitian ini, kami akan mencoba merancang model balancing-robot yang dalam pengembangan di masa depan dapat digunakan di rumah sakit oleh tenaga medis sebagai sarana transportasi yang ramah lingkungan. Hal ini karena tenaga medis sering sekali harus mobile dalam memantau pasien. Terkait hal tersebut, agar model balancing robot dapat seimbang maka digunakan salah satu jenis kontroler Adapun sensor yang digunakan adalah sensor accelerometer NI myRIO untuk mendeteksi perubahan sudut, dan sensor gyroscope untuk mendeteksi kecepatan sudut. Agar balancing robot dapat seimbang digunakan metode kontrol Proportional-Integral untuk mengatur kecepatan dana arah putar motor DC. Tuning parameter kontrol Proporsional-Integral dilakukan dengan dua metode yaitu metode Ziegler-Nichols dan trial and error. Hasil tuning dari Proporsional Integral yang baik adalah nilai gain Kp = 5 dan Ki = 0,001.

A brain-computer interface based on the integration of NI myRIO development device and NeuroSky Mindwave headset

This paper describes the development of a brain-computer interface system used for controlling a mobile robot by the eye-blinks strength. This project is aimed to help people with neuromotor disabilities who suffered from severe diseases causing them paralysis or the loss of speech. The proposed solution is related to the integration of NI myRIO platform with a NeuroSky Mindwave electroencephalographic headset in order to provide them an efficient, precise and robust communication channel with the outside environment. The eye-blinks are artefacts similar to the spikes that can be observed into the electroencephalographic signal. The difference between an intentional and a reflexive eye-blink is identified through the comparison of its strength to a given threshold parameter. Further, this paper describes a LabVIEW based application developed on the three programming levels from the NI myRIO (My Computer, Real-Time, FPGA Target) which enables controlling a mobile robot by different movement directions using the total number of voluntary eye-blinks. Therefore, the patient is able to use eye-blinks in order to send to the assistive device the following commands: stop – one eye-blink, go forward – two eye-blinks, go backward – three eye-blinks, turn left – four eye-blinks and turn right – five eye-blinks.

Design and development of a UAV Experimental Platform

This paper deals with the design, construction, and instrumentation of a UAV experimental platform. It is formed by a mechanism and a UAV hexacopter. The mechanism allows the movement around of non-inertial frame of the vehicle while restricting the movement around of inertial frame. The UAV hexacopter is fixed to the mechanism and contains an IMU sensor to measure the angular position of the vehicle. The data acquisition, processing and compute of the control signals is developed on board the vehicle through a NI myRIO®. By considering the dynamical behavior of the UAV hexacopter, it can be divided in rotational and translational motion. The stabilization of the rotational dynamics is addressed in this work, where two control loops around the Euler angles roll and pitch are implemented and tested in the experimental platform. The development of the instrumentation and the construction of the experimental platform are presented to explain how the system measures the angular position around the non-inertial frame of the UAV. The main contribution of this work is the design of the experimental platform. The effectiveness and practicality to stabilize a UAV hexacopter are shown through experimental results.

An Internet of Things based physiological signal monitoring and receiving system for virtual enhanced health care network.

Wireless physiological signal monitoring system designing with secured data communication in the health care system is an important and dynamic process. We propose a signal monitoring system using NI myRIO connected with the wireless body sensor network through multi-channel signal acquisition method. Based on the server side validation of the signal, the data connected to the local server is updated in the cloud. The Internet of Things (IoT) architecture is used to get the mobility and fast access of patient data to healthcare service providers. This research work proposes a novel architecture for wireless physiological signal monitoring system using ubiquitous healthcare services by virtual Internet of Things. We showed an improvement in method of access and real time dynamic monitoring of physiological signal of this remote monitoring system using virtual Internet of thing approach. This remote monitoring and access system is evaluated in conventional value. This proposed system is envisioned to modern smart health care system by high utility and user friendly in clinical applications. We claim that the proposed scheme significantly improves the accuracy of the remote monitoring system compared to the other wireless communication methods in clinical system.

Automatic Monitoring of Human Body Physiological Parameters Using Lab VIEW

The medical treatment and diagnosis of patient's in hospitals is very diffcult due to very limited staff especially in government hospitals where the doctor to patient ratio is very low. This project looks at a novel method of monitoring a patient's health without the doctor physically being present there. This monitoring system assists the doctor in carrying out medical tests and also provides patient-doctor interaction, when the doctor cannot be physically present near the patient. The proposed system uses a variety of sensors to monitor human body parameters like Temperature, Pulse and ECG sensors. These sensors are integrated together and their output is made available to the doctor in a virtual form. The sensors are integrated to LabVIEW through NI myRIO to provide a GUI based environment and monitoring parameters are displayed on the LabVIEW front panel. The doctor can access the front panel in his mobile phone using the Wi-Fi connection of myRIO.

AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR QUADRIPLEGIC PATIENTS USING NI-MyRIO

One of the primary neural disorders is Paralysis, which causes loss of motion in one or more parts of the body muscles. Quadriplegia is a condition, where both the arms and the legs are paralyzed; as a result, the person is entirely dependent on the caretakers. To help them overcome their difficulties, we proposed a system which can control the house appliances, to communicate, monitor and alert the caregivers or the doctors in the case of an emergency by using his/her eye movements. These eye movements can be recorded using Electrooculography (EOG) that can be used to perform these simple tasks. EOG is the measurement of the corneo-retinal standing potential of the eye. This paper describes how the acquisition of EOG signals is made which can be used to control the home appliances. Also, a communication method for the quadriplegic patients to interact with the caregivers and the designing of a monitoring system which can be used for monitoring the quadriplegic patients and an alarm with pop-up message that can be used to alert the caretakers. The proposed work also describes the electrode placements so as to reduce the artifacts, the types of electrodes used, simple circuits and the programming that are used to control the house appliances using EOG signals. The picked up EOG signal from the subject is given to the processing block which suitably provides an output which can be utilized as an input to the NI MyRIO where the programming is done to control the household appliances and for communication.