dsPIC-based signal processing techniques and an IT-enabled distributed system for intelligent process monitoring and management

dsPIC Technology employs a powerful 16-bit architecture into single-chip devices that seamlessly integrate the diverse attributes of a microcontroller with the computation and throughput capabilities of a digital signal processor in a single core. The key element of this dissertation is to explore how dsPIC has influenced the applicability of research in e-Monitoring systems. At the same time dsPIC has offered the opportunity to develop methodologies which were previously not even considered. The dsPIC devices are used, in this research, for front end data acquisition, signal processing and communication tools within a proposed monitoring architecture. In this work, novel digital signal processing (DSP) techniques are developed for the monitoring of an example application, namely the challenging one of tool breakage in milling operations. The monitoring regime is implemented on the dsPIC and its capabilities for real-time frequency analysis using overlap FFT and Multiband IIR Filters with dynamic coefficient selection techniques is explored. The developed systems are tested for various cutting conditions using existing machine tool signals and tool breakage is detected reliably in real-time. In attempting to enhance the accuracy of tool monitoring it is evident that the depth of cut (DOC) is an important parameter and achieving its on-line monitoring provides valuable information for condition monitoring. A systematic approach is adopted for the analysis and selection of ultrasonic sensors for distance measurement. A DOC monitoring system is developed using the dsPIC as the data acquisition and processing core. To achieve reliable results, various DSP algorithms are developed, implemented and verified for their effectiveness. The system integration stage combines the above elements for robust and reliable decision making and provides communication of the generated information to support management function using the internet and GSM connectivity. This integration enables an enhanced process management system which is capable of identifying all significant events, for offline analysis and subsequent diagnosis in addition to the real time diagnostic mode

Barriers in surgical research: A perspective from the developing world

Research in surgery has led to significant advances over the last century in terms of how medicine is practised in and outside the operating rooms today. Surgical research in the developed countries is responsible for most of this advancement, but it is often inapplicable in resource-limited settings in the developing world. Lower- and middle-income countries are in a unique position to take this work further, but they are limited by certain barriers. These barriers could broadly be classified under social and cultural, infrastructure, financial, ethical, and personal categories. These barriers are often not fully realised, but can potentially be addressed with concerted efforts to continue the advancement of medicine for everyone

An overview of a microcontroller based approach to intelligent machine tool monitoring

This paper presents a milling machine tool cutting process monitoring system based upon microcontroller architecture. The work was undertaken to explore the degree of autonomous intelligent decision making that such an approach can support. It is based upon the embedding of a number of linked algorithms within a microcontroller architecture. The practical implementation and results of the dynamic digital filtering algorithms thus employed are presented and consideration is given to how their outputs can be combined to provide high level process monitoring functions. The same technique can be used for monitoring applications for processes that depend upon health monitoring functions requiring simultaneous multiple parameter analysis

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