Topology optimisation of wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are widely used in a variety of fields including industrial environments. In case of a clustered network the location of cluster head affects the reliability of the network operation. Finding of the optimum location of the cluster head, therefore, is critical for the design of a network. This paper discusses the optimisation approach, based on the brute force algorithm, in the context of topology optimisation of a cluster structure centralised wireless sensor network. Two examples are given to verify the approach that demonstrate the implementation of the brute force algorithm to find an optimum location of the cluster head

Instructional laboratory for practical investigation of electric drive control

The study discusses the design principles of instructional laboratory equipment applied for practical investigations of electric drive control. The laboratory workstations comprise of two-motor hardware systems where each motor is controlled by a real-time DSP board. A control structure under test is assembled at the software level using a number of control elements, which is then compiled into a control algorithm for the microcontroller. In order to provide safe test execution, the control algorithm operates under the supervision of a real-time core software ensuring protection of the motors and the power converters. Due to the improvement in the reliability of hardware operation, the rated power of the motors and converters is increased to >1 kW to provide a proper characterisation of electric drives similar to industrial installations. The study also describes the laboratory hardware and software details using an example of the control system for an induction motor based on flux-vector control strategy. The example demonstrates configuring the control systems, compiling it into the execution code, the test procedure and result analysis

Topology optimisation of wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are widely used in a variety of fields including industrial environments. In case of a clustered network the location of cluster head affects the reliability of the network operation. Finding of the optimum location of the cluster head, therefore, is critical for the design of a network. This paper discusses the optimisation approach, based on the brute force algorithm, in the context of topology optimisation of a cluster structure centralised wireless sensor network. Two examples are given to verify the approach that demonstrate the implementation of the brute force algorithm to find an optimum location of the cluster head

Implementation of electrical rim driven fan technology to small unmanned aircraft

Aircraft propeller performance is significantly reduced when tip speeds become sonic causing the maximum attainable airspeed of the vehicle to be limited by the propeller diameter. There are also performance losses attributable to miniature Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as the propeller to hub diameter ratio is reduced. The research conducted indicated that re-arranging a Brushless DC Motor and propeller configuration, so that it becomes rim-driven rather than hub-driven, would provide some performance and operational advantages and could inspire the design of novel high-speed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle configurations powered by hub-less, multi-stage contra-rotating electrical fan-compressors. This investigation involved analysis, design and testing a prototype, low cost, concept demonstrator Rim Driven Fan device in order to assess the feasibility of applying this technology to Small Unmanned Aircraft. It was demonstrated that Rim Driven Fan technology could be successfully applied to lift and propel a Small Unmanned Aircraft. However, the performance testing of the Rim Driven Fan demonstrated that in its prototype configuration it would not be as efficient as a conventional Brushless DC motor and propeller

Curriculum development of undergraduate and post graduate courses on small unmanned aircraft

This paper describes the development of an undergraduate and a post graduate course on Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA). Few emerging technologies provide the potential for such a diverse application of knowledge as SUA which are more commonly referred to as “Drones”. They are being used for civil purposes in a growth business sector predicted to be worth billions of pounds over the next 10 years. They are also revolutionising everything from agriculture to film-making and are increasingly being used to monitor, research and conduct data gathering missions in surveying, mining, forestry, ecology, archaeology virtual reality and computer gaming. The purpose of this paper is to present the ideas and the researched findings which informed the rationale used for the curriculum development of the first Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Drone Technology to be offered in the UK, and also that of an accompanying Master of Science Degree in Unmanned Aircraft System Technology

Real-time model of switched reluctance drive based on a LUT magnetization curve for educational purposes

This paper discusses the implementation of a real-time model of a switched reluctance motor drive for which the parameters of its magnetisation curve are represented by the data in a look-up table. A method of cubic interpolation has been applied for the look-up table approximation in order to provide a high accuracy and realistic performance of the modelled motor drive. The model structure has been optimised for real-time execution in a motion control microcontroller operating under PWM frequency up to 40 kHz. The model is designed to be used in the students' coursework on the specialist subject of electric drive control

A geographical information system approach for analysis of surface areas in the context of renewable energy resources

The ability to assess an area for the potential of different renewable energies is governed by a wide range of technical, topographic and environmental variables. This paper discusses modelling these differing constraints for renewable energy potential and then to visualise results on an interactive map. A layered GIS is used with the UK as a location test area. The results compared different renewable energies potential for the same location in the form of kWh/m. On land it was found it is often possible to harness combined renewable energy from ground (solar, bioenergy), at altitude (wind energy) and underground (geothermal, GSHP) at the same time discovering increased multipliers of energy production and land use efficiency

Rapid Control Prototyping Platform for the Design of Control Systems for Automotive Electromechanical Actuators

This article introduces and discusses the development of a low-cost Rapid Control Prototyping Platform (RCPP). The aim of RCPP is to automate design of control algorithm of electromechanical actuators and simultaneous implementation it into a target microprocessor. The RCPP is stand-alone system containing software tools and electronic hardware in order to provide all development steps from system identification, model-based control design and code generation up to hardware implementation. The system can be used for development of a torque, speed or position controller for low power electromechanical actuators especially in the area of automotive application. The hardware of the platform is based on a 16-bit microcontroller and includes essential power semiconductor switches, sensors and communication interfaces. The presented RCPP system supports Real-Time-Work interface of MATLAB/Simulink and Calibration Protocol for CAN-Bus communication

Modelling and development of energy management system in a domestic building: Case study

The paper discusses the modelling and development of an energy management system applied for a domestic building. The model has been created to determine energy requirements and takes into account the building fabric and associated energy losses. A number of scenarios were investigated using the model to demonstrate the energy and cost savings. The energy control system is developed to ensure that all separate components of the system interface with each other with the aim of reducing total energy use. The implementation of the systems for a particular domestic building is considered as a case study

Low-cost photovoltaic emulator for instructional laboratories

This paper discusses a simple and cheap PV emulator based on a linear power supply that does not require a source of light to conduct laboratory experiments. The emulator has been designed to underpin students' understanding the properties of PV cell V-I characteristics and the ways to maximise the output power learned from lectures, tutorial and self-studies. The emulator has been built using “on the shelf” components and tested under rated power conditions. It demonstrated a good emulation of V-I characteristics within the rated range of the sun irradiation and the temperature