Sensor Board Research Articles

Autopilot Project with Unmanned Robot

Mobile robot is an important figure during the search and rescue application after the natural diseases such as earthquakes, fire, flooding. In the disaster areas, searching the sign of living bodies or investigating the ruins have critical roles in life saving. In most cases this operation is done remote controlled mobile robots. In this project a prototype of full featured robot has been developed in order to track the signs of lives in disaster areas. This mobile robot navigates through a planned route, avoiding from obstacles. During the navigation, it is capable of sending images of camera mounted on the robot where user can observe and track the environment. The GPS (Global Positioning System) module, infrared sensor, webcam, magnetometer, microcontroller and single board computer help routing and tracking processes. The host computer and mobile robot communicates through wireless channel. This paper presents the hardware and the software parts of this robot.

Low Profile Packaging for MEMS Aero-acoustic Sensors

AbstractThis paper describes a semi-automated conductive ink process used for packaging MEMS devices. The method is applied to packaging of MEMS sensors for wind tunnel testing. The primary advantage of the method is a reduction in surface topology between the package and the integrated MEMS sensors. In this paper we explore the relationship between trace dimensions, resistivity, and deposition parameters such as feed rate, tip-substrate separation and tip diameter. Using this procedure it is possible to generate interconnects between a PC board and MEMS sensor chip with a topology of less than 25 micrometers.

2P1-D04 レスキューロボットコンテストシーズのための機材開発 : 情報収集を題材としたセンサー教材の提案(ものづくり教育・メカトロニクスで遊ぶ(2))

2P1-D04 レスキューロボットコンテストシーズのための機材開発 : 情報収集を題材としたセンサー教材の提案(ものづくり教育・メカトロニクスで遊ぶ(2))

Building an HMI and Demo Application of WSN-based Industrial Control Systems

In this paper we present the details of methodology pursued in implementation of an HMI and Demo Temperature Monitoring application for wireless sensor-based distributed control systems. The application of WSN for a temperature monitoring and control is composed of a number of sensor nodes (motes) with a networking capability that can be deployed for monitoring and control purposes. The temperature is measured in the real time by the sensor boards that sample and send the data to the monitoring computer through a base station or gateway. This paper proposes how such monitoring system can be setup emphasizing on the aspects of low cost, energy-efficient, easy ad-hoc installation and easy handling and maintenance. This paper focuses on the overall potential of wireless sensor nodes and networking in industrial applications. A specific case study is given for the measurement of temperature (with thermistor or thermocouple), humidity, light and the health of the WSN. The focus was not on these four types of measurements and analysis but rather on the design of a communication protocol and building of an HMI software for monitoring. So, a set of system design requirements are developed that covered the use of the wireless platforms, the design of sensor network, the capabilities for remote data access and management, the connection between the WSN and an HMI software designed with MATLAB.

INDOOR MONITORING APPLICATIONS USING FIXED AND MOBILE WIRELESS SENSORS

This paper proposes the idea of a wireless sensor network with applicability in monitoring systems. The goal of the project is to build a monitoring system capable of data gathering which can benefit from both characteristics of fixed and mobile nodes. To become flexible, the mobile node has a modular structure with four levels. The flexibility offered by the mobile nodes increases the performance of the entire data acquisition system. These act as autonomous devices that cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions. In order to implement the data acquisition and communication functions, the solution we agreed on has been to use the MTS400 sensor board. Mobile nodes communicate to a central node individual data and statistical indicators over a period. The proposed energy-aware architecture was tested and validated in an indoor experiment.

Building an HMI and Demo Application of WSN-based Industrial Control Systems

In this paper we present the details of methodology pursued in implementation of an HMI and Demo Temperature Monitoring application for wireless sensor-based distributed control systems. The application of WSN for a temperature monitoring and control is composed of a number of sensor nodes (motes) with a networking capability that can be deployed for monitoring and control purposes. The temperature is measured in the real time by the sensor boards that sample and send the data to the monitoring computer through a base station or gateway. This paper proposes how such monitoring system can be setup emphasizing on the aspects of low cost, energy-efficient, easy ad-hoc installation and easy handling and maintenance. This paper focuses on the overall potential of wireless sensor nodes and networking in industrial applications. A specific case study is given for the measurement of temperature (with thermistor or thermocouple), humidity, light and the health of the WSN. The focus was not on these four types of measurements and analysis but rather on the design of a communication protocol and building of an HMI software for monitoring. So, a set of system design requirements are developed that covered the use of the wireless platforms, the design of sensor network, the capabilities for remote data access and management, the connection between the WSN and an HMI software designed with MATLAB.

Development of patch-type sensor module for wireless monitoring of heart rate and movement index

A patch-type sensor module (AIRBEAT System) for wireless monitoring of heart rate and movement index has been developed and evaluated. The major components of the system are the sensor board, the rubber case, and the communication module. The small sensor is patched onto the subject's chest to obtain physiological data, including heart rate and movement index. The relation test for heart rate yields an error rate within 2% compared with the CASE system (GE, USA). A three-axis accelerometer was chosen because of its low power consumption and very small size. The correlation coefficient between the average movement index and the conventionally used agility point score was found to be in the range of 0.8–0.9. A commercially available Zigbee telecommunication system was used for communication over distances of more than 400 m in an open space. According to the Bruce test protocol, changes in heart rate and movement index can be efficiently monitored and measured using the device. It has also been confirmed that the patch-type sensor module with built-in analysis algorithm can be used as an efficient tool for athletic training.

Development of the Berry Impact Recording Device sensing system: Hardware design and calibration

Bruising caused by the impact damage occurs frequently during mechanical harvest process for highbush blueberries. The overall goal of this study was to develop a miniature and low-cost sensor prototype to quantitatively measure the impact forces endured by blueberries during the mechanical harvest process, which could be used to reduce blueberry bruising through improved harvester design. The sensing system developed in this study had three essential components: the sensor, the interface box, and the computer software program. The round circuit board of sensor is less than one inch (19.4 mm), including three accelerometers with ±500 g sensing range in each orthogonal axis, one eight-bit microcontroller, one 128 KB memory chip, and other electronic components with low power consumption. The sensor board and rechargeable battery were cast into a one inch (25.4 mm) sphere using silicone rubber. The interface box serves as the intermediate communication platform to connect the sensor and the computer. The PC-software retrieves data from the sensor via the I 2C communication and downloads data to a computer for further analysis via the RS232 communication. The sensor was calibrated using a centrifuge. The accuracy of the sensor output was 0.53% (2.60 g maximum deviation) and −0.33% (−1.26 g maximum deviation), with precision error of 0.63% (3.21 g) in the output span. This miniature and low-cost sensor prototype provides the opportunity to understand how the berry (or other small fruits) interacts with different machine parts within the harvester and to identify critical control points that cause the most mechanical impacts, which was not achievable in the past.

A Conserved Neural Circuit-Based Architecture for Ambulatory and Undulatory Biomimetic Robots

AbstractThe adaptive capabilities of underwater organisms result from layered exteroceptive reflexes responding to gravity, impediment, and hydrodynamic and optical flow. In combination with taxic responses to point sources of sound or chemicals, these reflexes allow reactive autonomy in the most challenging of environments. We are developing a new generation of lobster and lamprey-based robots that operate under control by synaptic networks rather than algorithms. The networks, based on the command neuron, coordinating neuron, and central pattern generator architecture, code sensor input as labeled lines and activate shape memory alloy-based artificial muscles through a simple interface that couples excitation to contraction. We have completed the lamprey-based robot and are adapting this sensor, board, and actuator architecture to a new generation of the lobster-based robot. The networks are constructed from discrete time map-based neurons and synapses and are instantiated on the digital signal processing chip. A sensor board integrates inputs from a short baseline sonar array (for beacon tracking and supervisory control), accelerometer, a compass, antennae, and optionally chemosensors. Actuator control is mediated by pulse-width duty cycle coding generated by the electronic motor neurons and a comparator and power field-effect transistor (FET) system housed on low- and high-current driver boards. These circular boards are stacked in a tubular hull with the processor and batteries. This system can readily mimic the biomechanics of the model organisms by the addition of hydrodynamic control surfaces. The behavioral set results from chaining sequences of exteroceptive reflexes released by sensory feedback from the environment.

A Comprehensive Overview of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN)

In recent years, the wireless body area network (WBAN) has emerged as a new technology for e-healthcare applications. The WBANs promise to revolutionize health monitoring. However, this technology remains in the first stages and much research is underway. Designers of such systems face a number of challenging tasks, as they need to address conflicting requirements. This includes managing the network, the data, while maximizing the autonomy of each network node. Reducing the consumption of a node, the management of network resources and security insurance are therefore major challenges. This paper presents a survey of body area networks including the WBANs challenges and -architecture, the most important body sensor devices, as well as sensor board hardware and platforms. Further, various applications of WBANs in the medical field are discussed, as well as wireless communications standards and technologies. The newest researches related to WBANs at physical and MAC layers are presented. Finally the paper identifies data security and privacy in WBANs as well as open research issues.

Development of Small Motor Driver Integrating Sensor Circuit and Interchangeable Communication Board

This paper deals with humanoid robot motor driver and sensor boards, whose communication systems are expensive to upgrade because they are implemented in both types of boards. Then, we must re-develop motor driver boards and sensor boards to change communication function. Function of communication with host computer is the very important function. However, it is hard to evaluate and compare methods of communication. So, we divide the function of motor driver to communication and driving motor. And we suggest the configuration of interchangeable communication system.

Weapon classification and shooter localization using distributed multichannel acoustic sensors

A wireless sensor network-based wearable countersniper system prototype is presented. The sensor board is connected to a small helmet-mounted microphone array that uses time of arrival (ToA) estimates of the ballistic shockwave and the muzzle blast to compute the angle of arrival (AoA) of both acoustic events. A low-power radio is used to form an ad-hoc multihop network that shares the detections among the nodes. Utilizing all available ToA and AoA data, a novel sensor fusion algorithm then estimates the shooter position, bullet trajectory, miss distance, caliber, and weapon type. A single sensor relying only on its own detections is able determine the shooter position when both the shockwave and the muzzle blast are detected by at least three microphones each. Even with just one shockwave and one muzzle blast detection, the miss distance and range can be accurately estimated by a single sensor. The system has been tested multiple times at the US Army Aberdeen Test Center and the Nashville Police Academy. The demonstrated performance is 1-degree trajectory precision, over 95% caliber estimation accuracy, and close to 100% weapon estimation accuracy for 4 out of the 6 guns tested.

국지기상 모니터링을 위한 WSN 기반 필드서버 제작

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of disaster victims locally due to climate change and a variety of frequently occurring natural disasters. The damage caused by abrupt weather change in local area by typical weather forecasting techniques is very limited and difficult. Recently local area weather monitoring system using wireless sensor network technology has been very actively studied. Thus an IEEE 802.15.4-based weather field server to measure and monitor the local weather changes was designed and developed in this study. The proposed weather field server utilizes a wireless sensor node and weather sensors to collect weather information such as temperature, humidity, illumination, dew point, barometric pressure, and water level. The integrated weather sensor board was designed to respond quickly to weather changes, and provide feedback to the server PC. Each weather information is analyzed in the server PC to establish a program to monitor and analyze the local area or the area of abrupt climate change in order to provide warning signals in case of disaster events in local.

Full-Scale Experimental Validation of High-Fidelity Wireless Measurement on a Historic Truss Bridge

To meet the growing demands to monitor our aging infrastructure, wireless smart sensor networks (WSSN) have been the subject of intense interest due to their versatility and low cost. However, the performance of commercially available sensors is not sufficient to realize the high-fidelity data required for SHM. In particular, synchronization among the wireless sensor nodes has been found to be inadequate for data intensive applications such as SHM. To this end, the Illinois Structural Health Monitoring Project (ISHMP) Services Toolsuite has been developed as an open-source framework to enable reliable SHM application. One of the services, RemoteSensing, was specifically designed to enable monitoring of civil infrastructure through accurate time synchronization and reliable communication. In this paper, the performance of the Imote2 wireless sensor platform using a commercially available low cost sensor board is validated directly against a wired sensor system, in the context of validation of its capability for high-fidelity data measurement for bridge health monitoring. A series of vibration tests have been conducted using human jumping to excite the subject of this study, a 76-m historic steel truss bridge in Mahomet, Illinois. The dynamic properties of the bridge have been obtained by the peak picking method for both wireless and wired systems and compare well; thus, demonstrating the efficacy of the wireless sensor system.

Design of wireless sensor network and its application for structural health monitoring of cable-stayed bridge

A low-cost wireless sensor network (WSN) solution with highly expandable super and simple nodes was developed. The super node was designed as a sensing unit as well as a receiving terminal with low energy consumption. The simple node was designed to serve as a cheaper alternative for large-scale deployment. A 12-bit ADC inputs and DAC outputs were reserved for sensor boards to ease the sensing integration. Vibration and thermal field tests of the Chi-Lu Bridge were conducted to evaluate the WSN's performance. Integral acceleration, temperature and tilt sensing modules were constructed to simplify the task of long-term environmental monitoring on this bridge, while a star topology was used to avoid collisions and reduce power consumption. We showed that, given sufficient power and additional power amplifier, the WSN can successfully be active for more than 7 days and satisfy the half bridge 120-meter transmission requirement. The time and frequency responses of cables shocked by external force and temperature variations around cables in one day were recorded and analyzed. Finally, guidelines on power characterization of the WSN platform and selection of acceleration sensors for structural health monitoring applications were given.

Wireless sensor network based e-health system - implementation and experimental results

With the increasing number senior citizens, E-health is targeted for home use with the special requirements of being usable in everyday life and low cost. A wireless sensor network application is proposed here for 24 hour constant monitoring without disturbing daily activities of elderly people and their caretakers. In the system proposed, both fixed and body (mobile) sensors are used. Since not every elder likes to have a sensor board attached to him/her, and in many cases, he/she may not carry the sensor; the home sensor network independently would have the ability to monitor the health status and living environment based on the multisensor data analysis and fusion. A mixed positioning algorithm is proposed to determine where the elderly person is. The purpose of the positioning is to help the system to determine the person's activities and further to make decisions about his/her health status. The system could take care of two types of the basic needs of an elderly person: everyday needs as abnormal events and emergency alarms to doctors and caretakers through telephone, SMS and e-mail, and day to day requirements such as taking of medicine, having lunch, turn off the microwave oven, and so on. At same time, the system is sensitive to security and privacy issues.

Identification of determinants for weight reduction in overweight and obese children and adolescents

We conducted a pilot trial of electronic technology integrated into the treatment of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese. A total of 30 patients (mean age 14 years, mean BMI 32.7 kg/m(2)) were admitted to our hospital to participate in a structured treatment and teaching programme (STTP). To assess physical activity and eating habits, a mobile motion sensor board (MoSeBo) or a sensor for physical activity, integrated into a mobile phone with digital camera (DiaTrace) was used. Over an average period of four days of monitoring, the mean intensity (15.4 activity units) and duration of physical activity (267 min/d) were recorded with the mobile sensors. The mean time spent walking was 64 min/d, running 11 min/d, cycling 24 min/d and car driving 21 min/d. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between self-reported physical activity and objective assessment: in general the duration of physical activity documented by children and adolescents was much higher than the objective assessment. Similarly, the real caloric intake was higher than the self-estimates (P = 0.085). A multivariate analysis showed that the following variables were significantly associated with weight reduction in the hospital STTP (R-squared = 0.59): high motivation, intrafamilial conflicts, duration of physical activity assessed with the MoSeBo/DiaTrace system, and the body fat mass at onset of therapy. All children and adolescents included in the trial completed it. Although the MoSeBo/DiaTrace system was used for a relatively short period in each patient, the high acceptance demonstrated that it could be integrated into therapy easily.

Development and deployment of large scale wireless sensor network on a long-span bridge

Testing and validation processes are critical tasks in developing a new hardware platform based on a new technology. This paper describes a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of a newly developed MEMS-based wireless sensor node as part of a wireless sensor network (WSN). The sensor node consists of a sensor board with four accelerometers, a thermometer and filtering and digitization units, and a MICAz mote for control, local computation and communication. The experiments include calibration and linearity tests for all sensor channels on the sensor boards, dynamic range tests to evaluate their performance when subjected to varying excitation, noise characteristic tests to quantify the noise floor of the sensor board, and temperature tests to study the behavior of the sensors under changing temperature profiles. The paper also describes a large-scale deployment of the WSN on a long-span suspension bridge, which lasted over three months and continuously collected ambient vibration and temperature data on the bridge. Statistical modal properties of a bridge tower are presented and compared with similar estimates from a previous deployment of sensors on the bridge and finite element models.

Structural health monitoring of a cable-stayed bridge using smart sensor technology: deployment and evaluation

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of civil infrastructure using wireless smart sensor networks (WSSNs) has received significant public attention in recent years. The benefits of WSSNs are that they are low-cost, easy to install, and provide effective data management via on-board computation. This paper reports on the deployment and evaluation of a state-of-the-art WSSN on the new Jindo Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge in South Korea with a 344-m main span and two 70-m side spans. The central components of the WSSN deployment are the Imote2 smart sensor platforms, a custom-designed multimetric sensor boards, base stations, and software provided by the Illinois Structural Health Monitoring Project (ISHMP) Services Toolsuite. In total, 70 sensor nodes and two base stations have been deployed to monitor the bridge using an autonomous SHM application with excessive wind and vibration triggering the system to initiate monitoring. Additionally, the performance of the system is evaluated in terms of hardware durability, software stability, power consumption and energy harvesting capabilities. The Jindo Bridge SHM system constitutes the largest deployment of wireless smart sensors for civil infrastructure monitoring to date. This deployment demonstrates the strong potential of WSSNs for monitoring of large scale civil infrastructure.

Flexible smart sensor framework for autonomous structural health monitoring

Wireless smart sensors enable new approaches to improve structural health monitoring (SHM) practices through the use of distributed data processing. Such an approach is scalable to the large number of sensor nodes required for high-fidelity modal analysis and damage detection. While much of the technology associated with smart sensors has been available for nearly a decade, there have been limited numbers of full- scale implementations due to the lack of critical hardware and software elements. This research develops a flexible wireless smart sensor framework for full-scale, autonomous SHM that integrates the necessary software and hardware while addressing key implementation requirements. The Imote2 smart sensor platform is employed, providing the computation and communication resources that support demanding sensor network applications such as SHM of civil infrastructure. A multi-metric Imote2 sensor board with onboard signal processing specifically designed for SHM applications has been designed and validated. The framework software is based on a service-oriented architecture that is modular, reusable and extensible, thus allowing engineers to more readily realize the potential of smart sensor technology. Flexible network management software combines a sleep/wake cycle for enhanced power efficiency with threshold detection for triggering network wide operations such as synchronized sensing or decentralized modal analysis. The framework developed in this research has been validated on a full-scale a cable-stayed bridge in South Korea.