D.A. Rauth

Bio: D.A. Rauth is an academic researcher from Rowan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Signal conditioning & Signal processing. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 147 citations. Previous affiliations of D.A. Rauth include Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc..

Sensors and signal conditioning

Abstract: The challenge we take up in this fourth installment in a series of tutorials in instrumentation and measurement is to consider how to make a sensor work in a measurement system. Signal conditioning broadly includes the steps needed to make the sensor an active part of a measurement system by providing excitation, if required, and then performing the preliminary actions needed to obtain a signal that can be processed. What's done to and with that signal is the subject of future parts of this tutorial series. Luckily, we don't have to wait that long to get results, because the output of the signal conditioning stage can be used for something as simple as driving a display subsystem so that we see results. Signal conditioning is a critical step in a measurement system but so is each element as emphasized by the serial model we have been using so far to depict the basic elements of an instrument. However, it is important to keep in mind that many overall performance limits of a measurement are strongly influenced by what happens in the signal conditioning stage. For example, linearity, accuracy, noise rejection, and long-term drift behaviors will be strongly affected by decisions made here.

Analog-to-digital conversion. part 5

Abstract: In part 4 of the series (Schmalzel and Rauth, 2005), the signal conditioning stage for a variety of transducer types and sensors was discussed. The output of this stage in the measurement chain is typically an analog signal that can drive an actuator or display or be converted into digital form. Since the advent of monolithic analog/digital converters (ADCs) in the 1970s, digital measurement systems have become the standard. Today, almost all signal processing takes place in the digital domain where signals can be flexibly manipulated in complex ways when compared to their analog counterparts. Before we can enter the Utopian realm of digital signal processing, analog signals need to be converted into digital form, which is the subject of this tutorial.

Intelligent Sensors and Components for On-Board ISHM

Abstract: A viewgraph presentation on the development of intelligent sensors and components for on-board Integrated Systems Health Health Management (ISHM) is shown. The topics include: 1) Motivation; 2) Integrated Systems Health Management (ISHM); 3) Intelligent Components; 4) IEEE 1451; 5)Intelligent Sensors; 6) Application; and 7) Future Directions

An Adaptive Sampling Algorithm for Effective Energy Management in Wireless Sensor Networks With Energy-Hungry Sensors

Abstract: Energy conservation techniques for wireless sensor networks generally assume that data acquisition and processing have energy consumption that is significantly lower than that of communication. Unfortunately, this assumption does not hold in a number of practical applications, where sensors may consume even more energy than the radio. In this context, effective energy management should include policies for an efficient utilization of the sensors, which become one of the main components that affect the network lifetime. In this paper, we propose an adaptive sampling algorithm that estimates online the optimal sampling frequencies for sensors. This approach, which requires the design of adaptive measurement systems, minimizes the energy consumption of the sensors and, incidentally, that of the radio while maintaining a very high accuracy of collected data. As a case study, we considered a sensor for snow-monitoring applications. Simulation experiments have shown that the suggested adaptive algorithm can reduce the number of acquired samples up to 79% with respect to a traditional fixed-rate approach. We have also found that it can perform similar to a fixed-rate scheme where the sampling frequency is known in advance.

Design of a Large Range XY Nanopositioning System

Abstract: Achieving large motion range (> 1 mm) along with nanometric motion quality (< 10 nm), simultaneously, has been a key challenge in nanopositioning systems. Practical limitations associated with the individual physical components (flexure bearing, actuators, and sensors) and their integration, particularly in the case of multi-axis systems, have restricted the range of current nanopositioning systems to about 100 μm. This paper presents a novel physical system layout, with a parallel-kinematic XY flexure mechanism at its heart, that provides a high degree of decoupling between the two motion axes by avoiding geometric over-constraints, provides actuator isolation that allows the use of large-stroke single-axis actuators, and enables a complementary end-point sensing scheme that employs commonly available sensors. These attributes help achieve an unprecedented 10 mm × 10 mm motion range in the proposed nanopositioning system. Having overcome the physical system design challenges, a dynamic model of proposed nanopositioning system is created and verified via system identification methods. In particular, dynamic non-linearities associated with the large displacements of the flexure mechanism and resulting controls challenges are identified. The physical system is fabricated, assembled, and tested to validate its simultaneous large range and nanometric motion capabilities. Preliminary closed-loop test results, which highlight the potential of this new design configuration, are presented.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

Electrical Impedance Tomography for Artificial Sensitive Robotic Skin: A Review

Abstract: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a nondestructive imaging technique used to estimate the internal conductivity distribution of a conductive domain by taking potential measurements only at the domain boundaries. If a thin electrically conductive material that responds to pressure with local changes in conductivity is used as a conductive domain, then EIT can be used to create a large-scale pressure-sensitive artificial skin for robotics applications. This paper presents a review of EIT and its application as a robotics sensitive skin, including EIT excitation and image reconstruction techniques, materials, and skin fabrication techniques. Touch interpretation via EIT-based artificial skins is also reviewed.

New Noncontacting Inductive Analog Proximity and Inductive Linear Displacement Sensors for Industrial Automation

Abstract: Noncontacting inductive sensors are applicable on a large scale for position detection or travel measurement in industrial applications. Reasons for such broad acceptance in many sectors of industry are noncontact and wear-free sensing of the target (any metal object), reliability and robustness, resistance to fouling, water tightness and compact size. The present work is intended to be a systematic, complete, and consistent presentation of the technological innovations, recent implementations and current trends regarding the analog distance and travel sensing offered by noncontacting inductive sensors for industrial applications. It starts with the fundamentals of inductive sensing and presents the physical basics gained by modern analytic and simulation methods, as well as high-level integrated circuits for inductive sensors. The following sections deal with present-day inductive analog proximity sensors and with the distinctive technological innovation offered by the new inductive linear displacement sensors and with miniaturization results achieved through consistent integration.