Intelligent Sensors: An Integrated Systems Approach

The need for intelligent sensors as a critical component for Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) is fairly well recognized by now. Even the definition of what constitutes an intelligent sensor (or smart sensor) is well documented and stems from an intuitive desire to get the best quality measurement data that forms the basis of any complex health monitoring and/or management system. If the sensors, i.e. the elements closest to the measurand, are unreliable then the whole system works with a tremendous handicap. Hence, there has always been a desire to distribute intelligence down to the sensor level, and give it the ability to assess its own health thereby improving the confidence in the quality of the data at all times. This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the NASA Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test stands, but the technology should be generally applicable to the Intelligent Systems Health Monitoring (ISHM) vision. This paper outlines some fundamental issues in the development of intelligent sensors under the following two categories: Physical Intelligent Sensors (PIS) and Virtual Intelligent Sensors (VIS)

Intelligent Sensors: Strategies for an Integrated Systems Approach

This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test stands, but the technology should be generally applicable to the Intelligent Systems Health Monitoring (ISHM) vision. This paper outlines progress made in the development of intelligent sensors by describing the work done till date on Physical Intelligent Sensors (PIS) and Virtual Intelligent Sensors (VIS)

Physical Intelligent Sensors

This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as part of an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the NASA s Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test stands, but the technology should be generally applicable to the Integrated Systems Health Monitoring (ISHM) vision. This paper outlines progress made in the development of intelligent sensors by describing the work done till date on Physical Intelligent Sensors (PIS). The PIS discussed here consists of a thermocouple used to read temperature in an analog form which is then converted into digital values. A microprocessor collects the sensor readings and runs numerous embedded event detection routines on the collected data and if any event is detected, it is reported, stored and sent to a remote system through an Ethernet connection. Hence the output of the PIS is data coupled with confidence factor in the reliability of the data which leads to information on the health of the sensor at all times. All protocols are consistent with IEEE 1451.X standards. This work lays the foundation for the next generation of smart devices that have embedded intelligence for distributed decision making capabilities

Physical Intelligent Sensors

This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as part of an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the NASA s Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test stands, but the technology should be generally applicable to the Integrated Systems Health Monitoring (ISHM) vision. This paper outlines progress made in the development of intelligent sensors by describing the work done till date on Physical Intelligent Sensors (PIS). The PIS discussed here consists of a thermocouple used to read temperature in an analog form which is then converted into digital values. A microprocessor collects the sensor readings and runs numerous embedded event detection routines on the collected data and if any event is detected, it is reported, stored and sent to a remote system through an Ethernet connection. Hence the output of the PIS is data coupled with confidence factor in the reliability of the data which leads to information on the health of the sensor at all times. All protocols are consistent with IEEE 1451.X standards. This work lays the foundation for the next generation of smart devices that have embedded intelligence for distributed decision making capabilities

Gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique : Réflexion théorique

Assurer une bonne performance en termes de délais et de qualité de service et améliorer les résultats financiers d’une entreprise grâce à la maîtrise de la chaîne logistique sont aujourd’hui des évidences. En effet, depuis une dizaine d’années on est entré dans une nouvelle ère digitale, caractérisée par de nouvelles exigences en termes de réactivité, de qualité, et dont l’un des enjeux fondamentaux réside dans la capacité des entreprises à s’adapter avec cet environnement en mutation continue. Cette notion de digitalisation qui s’est imposée ces dernières années, est considérée par de nombreux chercheurs comme étant la solution adéquate aux défis rencontrés par l’entreprise dans ce contexte économique ambigu et évolutif. Cet article vise à faire le point sur la recherche afin de comprendre la gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique. Différentes définitions des termes « logistique», « chaîne logistique », «gestion de la chaîne logistique » et « digitalisation » seront analysées puis classées et résumées. On présentera ensuite diverses configurations et définitions de la gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique afin d’établir une voie cohérente pour comprendre le phénomène, ses dimensions et les principales avancées digitales

Gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique : Une vue d’ensemble

Assurer une bonne performance en termes de délais et de qualité de service et améliorer les résultats financiers d’une entreprise grâce à la maîtrise de la chaîne logistique sont aujourd’hui des évidences. En effet, depuis une dizaine d’années on est entré dans une nouvelle ère digitale, caractérisée par de nouvelles exigences en termes de réactivité, de qualité, et dont l’un des enjeux fondamentaux réside dans la capacité des entreprises à s’adapter avec cet environnement en mutation continue. Cette notion de digitalisation qui s’est imposée ces dernières années, est considérée par de nombreux chercheurs comme étant la solution adéquate aux défis rencontrés par l’entreprise dans ce contexte économique ambigu et évolutif. Cet article vise à faire le point sur la recherche afin de comprendre la gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique. Différentes définitions des termes « logistique», « chaîne logistique », «gestion de la chaîne logistique » et « digitalisation » seront analysées puis classées et résumées. On présentera ensuite diverses configurations et définitions de la gestion digitale de la chaîne logistique afin d’établir une voie cohérente pour comprendre le phénomène, ses dimensions et les principales avancées digitales

Non-man-entry sewer renovation robot characteristics.

The reported work lies in the area of automation in the construction industry, and involves multi-disciplinary engineering studies. In particular, sewer renovation methods, computer vision (CV) and robotics are all included. More specifically, the key objective of the research programme was to investigate the characteristics of retrofit components suited to mounting on an industrial / proprietary sewer tractor. The overall aim was the provision of a non-man-entry (NME) sewer renovation robot to undertake reconnection of lateral junctions, following a cured-in-place (CIP) relining process. The programme primarily involved theoretical studies of the requisite sensory and kinematic components, incorporation of a novel computer vision sensing system and production of a chainage measurement system and robotic drill task arm. The theory was supported by laboratory testing using a modified proprietary tractor, with emphasis placed on promoting applications of information technology driven systems (i.e. CV) to construction-industry tasks within hazardous environments involving significant health issues. The use of such techniques in the construction industry is rare.Chapter 1 reviews the context and history of sewer maintenance/dereliction in the UK. NME sewers are the most common type and are, by definition, difficult to maintain. Renovation, typically employing CIP liners, is therefore a cost-effective alternative to replacement. Lateral connections are, inevitably, blocked off during the relining process; it is suggested that application of a robust robotic system to the task of reconnecting them is novel and offers clear potential within such a hazardous environment.Chapters 2 and 3 develop the underlying theoretical models of the CV and kinematic systems respectively. The novel CV work (provided by third party specialists employing the TINA CV research environment) was incorporated by the author to provide detection and classification of lateral junctions, crucially noting the particular properties of direct and reflected illumination. Classification aspects include estimation of lateral / NME intersection angle and closure-to-target distance from the robot. The author proposes a separate procedure for estimating lateral diameter. A chainage measurement system, using a rotary encoder and inclinometer, was developed to determine invert path distance travelled. This allows for the inevitable wander and thereby gives the system robustness. The novel application of GRASP (a robotic modelling and simulation design tool) to NME environments, provided the ability to model arm designs without the need for the production of more than one expensive physical prototype. A mathematical solution for determining the requisite arm kinematics is presented.Chapter 4 details the hardware requirements of the robotic system components, whilst Chapters 5 and 6 present the laboratory evaluation results for the kinematic and CV systems respectively. The abilities of the CV system qualitatively to detect laterals under reflected illumination, and to provide quantitative classification data, are demonstrated. The chainage measurement system is assessed under a variety of initialisation conditions to determine suitability to task, and the ability of the robotic arm to physically simulate lateral reconnection is investigated.Chapter 7 discusses the specification for an industrially-applicable prototype, based on the findings herein. Appropriate comparisons with the pre-prototype system are made, including cost. Finally, Chapter 8 draws conclusions and makes suggestions for further work. Supporting documentation is provided in Chapter 9 and the Appendices