An Adaptive Design Methodology for Reduction of Product Development Risk

Embedded systems interaction with environment inherently complicates understanding of requirements and their correct implementation. However, product uncertainty is highest during early stages of development. Design verification is an essential step in the development of any system, especially for Embedded System. This paper introduces a novel adaptive design methodology, which incorporates step-wise prototyping and verification. With each adaptive step product-realization level is enhanced while decreasing the level of product uncertainty, thereby reducing the overall costs. The back-bone of this frame-work is the development of Domain Specific Operational (DOP) Model and the associated Verification Instrumentation for Test and Evaluation, developed based on the DOP model. Together they generate functionally valid test-sequence for carrying out prototype evaluation. With the help of a case study 'Multimode Detection Subsystem' the application of this method is sketched. The design methodologies can be compared by defining and computing a generic performance criterion like Average design-cycle Risk. For the case study, by computing Average design-cycle Risk, it is shown that the adaptive method reduces the product development risk for a small increase in the total design cycle time.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure

Recent advances in acoustic diagnostics for electrochemical power systems

Over the last decade, acoustic methods, such as acoustic emission and ultrasonic testing, have been increasingly deployed for process diagnostics and health monitoring of electrochemical power devices including batteries, fuel cells, and water electrolysers. These acoustic are non-invasive, highly sensitive, and low cost, while also providing a high level of spatial and temporal resolution, and practicality. The application of these tools in electrochemical devices is based on identifying changes in acoustic signals due to physical, structural, and electrochemical properties change within the material which are then correlated to critical processes and the health status of the devices. This review discusses recent progress in the use of acoustic methods for process and health-monitoring of major electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. First, the fundamental concepts and principles of acoustic emission and ultrasonic testing are introduced, followed by a discussion of the range of electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, and how acoustic techniques are being used to study relevant materials and devices. Conclusions and future perspectives highlighting some of the unique challenges and potential commercial and academic applications of the devices are also discussed. It is expected that, with further developments, acoustic techniques will form a key part of the suite of diagnostic techniques routinely used to monitor electrochemical devices across various processes including fabrication, on-board maintenance, post-mortem examination and second life or recycle decision support to aid the deployment of these devices in increasingly demanding applications

Developing of Ultrasound Experimental Methods using Machine Learning Algorithms for Application of Temperature Monitoring of Nano-Bio-Composites Extrusion

In industry fiber degradation during processing of biocomposite in the extruder is a problem that requires a reliable solution to save time and money wasted on producing damaged material. In this thesis, We try to focus on a practical solution that can monitor the change in temperature that causes fiber degradation and material damage to stop it when it occurs. Ultrasound can be used to detect the temperature change inside the material during the process of material extrusion. A monitoring approach for the extruder process has been developed using ultrasound system and the techniques of machine learning algorithms. A measurement cell was built to form a dataset of ultrasound signals at different temperatures for analysis. Machine learning algorithms were applied through machine-learning algorithm’s platform to classify the dataset based on the temperature. The dataset was classified with accuracy 97% into two categories representing over and below damage temperature (190oc) ultrasound signal. This approach could be used in industry to send an alarm or a temperature control signal when material damage is detected. Biocomposite is at the core of automotive industry material research and development concentration. Melt mixing process was used to mix biocomposite material with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the purpose of enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of biocomposite. The resulting composite nano-bio- composite was tested via different types of thermal and mechanical tests to evaluate its performance relative to biocomposite. The developed material showed enhancement in mechanical and thermal properties that considered a high potential for applications in the future

Sensor Signal and Information Processing II

In the current age of information explosion, newly invented technological sensors and software are now tightly integrated with our everyday lives. Many sensor processing algorithms have incorporated some forms of computational intelligence as part of their core framework in problem solving. These algorithms have the capacity to generalize and discover knowledge for themselves and learn new information whenever unseen data are captured. The primary aim of sensor processing is to develop techniques to interpret, understand, and act on information contained in the data. The interest of this book is in developing intelligent signal processing in order to pave the way for smart sensors. This involves mathematical advancement of nonlinear signal processing theory and its applications that extend far beyond traditional techniques. It bridges the boundary between theory and application, developing novel theoretically inspired methodologies targeting both longstanding and emergent signal processing applications. The topic ranges from phishing detection to integration of terrestrial laser scanning, and from fault diagnosis to bio-inspiring filtering. The book will appeal to established practitioners, along with researchers and students in the emerging field of smart sensors processing

An experimental set up to investigate non-invasive detection of hip prosthesis loosening

[no abstract

Development of a real-time ultrasonic sensing system for automated and robotic welding

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The implementation of robotic technology into welding processes is made difficult by the inherent process variables of part location, fit up, orientation and repeatability. Considering these aspects, to ensure weld reproducibility consistency and quality, advanced adaptive control techniques are essential. These involve not only the development of adequate sensors for seam tracking and joint recognition but also developments of overall machines with a level of artificial intelligence sufficient for automated welding. The development of such a prototype system which utilizes a manipulator arm, ultrasonic sensors and a transistorised welding power source is outlined. This system incorporates three essential aspects. It locates and tracks the welding seam ensuring correct positioning of the welding head relatively to the joint preparation. Additionally, it monitors the joint profile of the molten weld pool and modifies the relevant heat input parameters ensuring consistent penetration, joint filling and acceptable weld bead shape. Finally, it makes use of both the above information to reconstruct three-dimensional images of the weld pool silhouettes providing in-process inspection capabilities of the welded joints. Welding process control strategies have been incorporated into the system based on quantitative relationships between input parameters and weld bead shape configuration allowing real-time decisions to be made during the process of welding, without the need for operation intervention.British Technology Group (BTG

Development, Optimization and Clinical Evaluation Of Algorithms For Ultrasound Data Analysis Used In Selected Medical Applications.

The assessment of soft and hard tissues is critical when selecting appropriate protocols for restorative and regenerative therapy in the field of dental surgery. The chosen treatment methodology will have significant ramifications on healing time, success rate and overall long-time oral health. Currently used diagnostic methods are limited to visual and invasive assessments; they are often user-dependent, inaccurate and result in misinterpretation. As such, the clinical need has been identified for objective tissue characterization, and the proposed novel ultrasound-based approach was designed to address the identified need. The device prototype consists of a miniaturized probe with a specifically designed ultrasonic transducer, electronics responsible for signal generation and acquisition, as well as an optimized signal processing algorithm required for data analysis. An algorithm where signals are being processed and features extracted in real-time has been implemented and studied. An in-depth algorithm performance study has been presented on synthetic signals. Further, in-vitro laboratory experiments were performed using the developed device with the algorithm implemented in software on animal-based samples. Results validated the capabilities of the new system to reproduce gingival assessment rapidly and effectively. The developed device has met clinical usability requirements for effectiveness and performance

Non-invasive inspections: a review on methods and tools

Non-Invasive Inspection (NII) has become a fundamental tool in modern industrial maintenance strategies. Remote and online inspection features keep operators fully aware of the health of industrial assets whilst saving money, lives, production and the environment. This paper conducted crucial research to identify suitable sensing techniques for machine health diagnosis in an NII manner, mainly to detect machine shaft misalignment and gearbox tooth damage for different types of machines, even those installed in a hostile environment, using literature on several sensing tools and techniques. The researched tools are critically reviewed based on the published literature. However, in the absence of a formal definition of NII in the existing literature, we have categorised NII tools and methods into two distinct categories. Later, we describe the use of these tools as contact-based, such as vibration, alternative current (AC), voltage and flux analysis, and non-contact-based, such as laser, imaging, acoustic, thermographic and radar, under each category in detail. The unaddressed issues and challenges are discussed at the end of the paper. The conclusions suggest that one cannot single out an NII technique or method to perform health diagnostics for every machine efficiently. There are limitations with all of the reviewed tools and methods, but good results possible if the machine operational requirements and maintenance needs are considered. It has been noted that the sensors based on radar principles are particularly effective when monitoring assets, but further comprehensive research is required to explore the full potential of these sensors in the context of the NII of machine health. Hence it was identified that the radar sensing technique has excellent features, although it has not been comprehensively employed in machine health diagnosis

Wearable Wireless Devices

No abstract available