Technological advances in manufacturing smart high-performances electronic devices, increasingly available at lower costs, nowadays allow one to improve users’ quality of life in many application fields. In this work, the human–machine interaction obtained by using a next generation device (Myo armband) is analyzed and discussed, with a particular focus to healthcare applications such as upper-limb prostheses. An overview on application fields of the Myo armband and on the latest research works related to its use in prosthetic applications is presented; subsequently, the technical features and functionalities of this device are examined. Myo armband is a wearable device provided with eight electromyographic electrodes, a 9-axes inertial measurement unit and a transmission module. It sends the data related to the detected signals, via Bluetooth Low Energy technology, to other electronic devices which process them and act accordingly, depending on how they are programmed (in order to drive actuators or perform other specific functions). Applied to the prosthetic field, Myo armband allows one to overcome many issues related to the existing prostheses, representing a complete electronic platform that detects in real-time the main signals related to forearm activity (muscles activation and forearm movements in the three-dimensional space) and sends these data to the connected devices. Nowadays, several typologies of prostheses are available on the market; they can be mainly distinguished into low-cost prostheses, which are light and compact but allow for a limited number of movements, and high-end prostheses, which are much more complex and featured by high dexterity, but also heavy, bulky, difficult to control and very expensive. Finally, the Myo armband is an optimum candidate for prosthetic application (and many others) and offers an excellent lowcost solution for obtaining a reliable, easy to use system.

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Technical features and functionalities of Myo armband: An overview on related literature and advanced applications of myoelectric armbands mainly focused on arm prostheses

This paper presents guidelines to develop the Maximum Power Point Tracking controller, as developed in the automotive and aeronautical applications, this by following the V-cycle development process, which means that our controller will be validated by using Model In the Loop/ Software In the Loop/Processor In the Loop tests. In order to have the possibility of integrating the MPPT embedded software in automotive and aeronautical areas, and on the other hand to propose a low-cost option to test the hardware implementation of the MPPT algorithm. Therefore, a modified variable step Incremental Conductance algorithm is proposed in this study, which can reduce the steady-state oscillations and increase the tracking speed under sudden irradiance variation. Then, the Model-based design of the modified algorithm is developed and connected to the plant model (photovoltaic panel and Boost converter). Next, the system model is tested and validated by using Model In the Loop process. After that, the software...

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01616111/document

MIL and SIL and PIL tests for MPPT algorithm

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is one of the most effective tools in collecting data autonomously going as recently as 5–10 years ago. A low deployment and maintenance cost WSN is highly recognized as one of the more advanced Internet of Things networks that can be deployed for a series of purposes namely environmental and industrial monitoring due to the majority of such systems run on expendable power source that offers WSN with a limited service lifetime. The aim of this paper is to review existing renewable energy and prospective approaches in energy harvesting strategy as a means of having a sustainable and low maintenance operation of WSN. Additionally, recent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of solar energy harvesting is thoroughly discussed in a new perspective of the WSN framework. Semi-pilot cell fractional open-circuit voltage (SPC-FOCV) MPPT is a fairly new concept in WSN application that features less complicated configuration with reduced hardware requirements and lower cost. Recent research findings are evaluated throughout this paper leading to the SPC-FOCV MPPT materialization. A holistic discussion is made encompassing the advantages and disadvantages of the concept, its performance compared to conventional MPPT approaches and the future insight of the technology in WSN.

Power Harvesting in Wireless Sensor Networks and Its Adaptation With Maximum Power Point Tracking: Current Technology and Future Directions

The huge spreading of Internet of things (IoT)-oriented modern technologies is revolutionizing all fields of human activities, leading several benefits and allowing to strongly optimize classic productive processes The agriculture field is also affected by these technological advances, resulting in better water and fertilizers’ usage and so huge improvements of both quality and yield of the crops In this manuscript, the development of an IoT-based smart traceability and farm management system is described, which calibrates the irrigations and fertigation operations as a function of crop typology, growth phase, soil and environment parameters and weather information; a suitable software architecture was developed to support the system decision-making process, also based on data collected on-field by a properly designed solar-powered wireless sensor network (WSN) The WSN nodes were realized by using the ESP8266 NodeMCU module exploiting its microcontroller functionalities and Wi-Fi connectivity Thanks to a properly sized solar power supply system and an optimized scheduling scheme, a long node autonomy was guaranteed, as experimentally verified by its power consumption measures, thus reducing WSN maintenance In addition, a literature analysis on the most used wireless technologies for agri-food products’ traceability is reported, together with the design and testing of a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) low-cost sensor tag to be applied into the containers of agri-food products, just collected from the fields or already processed, to monitor the main parameters indicative of any failure or spoiling over time along the supply chain A mobile application was developed for monitoring the tracking information and storing conditions of the agri-food products Test results in real-operative scenarios demonstrate the proper operation of the BLE smart tag prototype and tracking system

Development of Sensors-Based Agri-Food Traceability System Remotely Managed by a Software Platform for Optimized Farm Management

This paper presents an overview of the current state of the developments in sun position sensors used in solar technologies such as photovoltaic modules, satellites, solar collectors and other applications. The working principles and geometric designs of several types of sun position sensors are discussed in detail. The studio considers the evaluation of the advantages and limitations of different design requirements such as accuracy, solar tracking errors, desired properties, field of view (FOV) and commercialization, and the evaluation of outer parameters that affect the performance of sun position sensors (climatic conditions: solar radiation, contamination, and temperature); in order to combine the technologies, increase the efficiency and expand the use of sun position sensors. On the other hand, it was determined that the main barriers that this technology faces are: cost-effectiveness, the operational range of temperature and the effective data transmission, so the future researches should be concentrated around these issues.

A review on sun position sensors used in solar applications

Software solution implemented on hardware system to manage and drive multiple bi-axial solar trackers by PC in photovoltaic solar plants

This paper describes the design and realization of a smart electronic system, based on a Wireless Sensor Network, for wide-area monitoring of availability level and rapid changes of the water presence in the monitored soil in order to guarantee flood prediction, water savings in the optimized farmland irrigation, waste reduction and optimal use of water resources where its availability is low. The designed sensor node, by means of the different embedded sensors, is capable of detecting environmental parameters, the solar radiation level and soil temperature and moisture (i.e. water volume content) values. The sensors communicate with a central processing unit located on board, used both as data processing unit and as Wi-Fi transceiver to receive/transmit the sensors data. The user near a sensor node, by a tablet or smartphone with an appropriate app, can collect information provided from sensors and share them with all users who use the same app on the Cloud, through peer to peer Wi-Fi or other internet connection.

Solar powered WSN for monitoring environment and soil parameters by specific app for mobile devices usable for early flood prediction or water savings

This paper describes the realization of an electronic apparatus for controlling and driving a bi-axial solar tracker system of a PV plant, managed by a PC software application with an user-friendly graphical interface. The designed software is able to calculate the sun circadian orbit and consequently to move the solar panels in order to maintain the panel's surface always perpendicular to solar rays, improving the efficiency in energy production. In particular, the object of this work consists in optimizing an existing, from us designed, fully-hardware apparatus which didn't allow a simple and rapid plant management, completely replacing the Master electronic board with the designed software, able to communicate by PC with Slave electronic boards for tracker motors driving.

Development of an electronic equipment managed by software on PC for controlling and driving of multiple bi-axial solar trackers in photovoltaic solar plants

C. Orlando

Papers

Software solution implemented on hardware system to manage and drive multiple bi-axial solar trackers by PC in photovoltaic solar plants

Solar powered WSN for monitoring environment and soil parameters by specific app for mobile devices usable for early flood prediction or water savings

Development of an electronic equipment managed by software on PC for controlling and driving of multiple bi-axial solar trackers in photovoltaic solar plants