Showing papers in "IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine in 2014"

Camera as the instrument: the rising trend of vision based measurement

Abstract: Due to continuing and rapid advances of both hardware and software technologies in camera and computing systems, we continue to have access to cheaper, faster, higher quality, and smaller cameras and computing units. As a result, vision based methods consisting of image processing and computational intelligence can be implemented more easily and affordably than ever using a camera and its associated operations units. Among their various applications, such systems are also being used more and more by researchers and practitioners as generic instruments to measure and monitor physical phenomena. In this article, we take a look at this rising trend and how cameras and vision are being used for instrumentation and measurement, and we also cast a glance at the metrological gauntlet thrown down by vision-based instruments.

Electrical distribution system state estimation: measurement issues and challenges

Abstract: The distribution grid is the infrastructure that transports electrical energy generated by large plants that are long distances away to the final user. A typical distribution grid consists of High-to-Medium Voltage (HV/MV) transformation centers; the MV grid; Medium-to-Low Voltage (MV/LV) transformation centers; and the LV grid, both three-phase and single-phase. Residential and commercial customers are mainly connected to the LV, while large industrial facilities are connected to the MV.

Measurements and sensors for motion tracking in motor rehabilitation

Abstract: In the years, the role of measurement in medicine and healthcare is becoming increasingly relevant, thanks to the always-wider diffusion of electronics in everyday life In particular, measurement and sensors represent one of the key aspects of what is called pervasive healthcare Pervasive healthcare may be defined as the application of pervasive computing technologies for healthcare, as well as the way to make healthcare available everywhere, anytime and to everyone, and aims at changing the healthcare delivery model from doctor-centric to patient-centric, from acute-reactive to continuous preventing, and from sampling to monitoring [1]

A Brief Overview of Weather Radar Technologies and Instrumentation

Abstract: eather radar technologies and instrumenta-tion play a vital role in early warning of severe weather. For example, the annual impacts of adverse weather on the U.S. national highway system and roads are staggering: 7,400 weather–related deaths and 1.5 million weather–related crashes [1]. In addition, US$4.2 bil-lion is lost each year as a result of air traffic delays attributed to weather. Research on high-impact weather is broadly mo-tivated by society’s need to improve the prediction of these weather events. The research approaches to accomplish this goal vary significantly with the inherent predictability of the weather system. For example, the current forecast approaches for issuing warnings of short-lived events, such as tornadoes and flash floods, are primarily based on observations with a fo-cus on advanced Doppler radar measurements. Research is currently often focused on engineering to de-velop new radar systems, research to better understand these storm systems to develop new meteorological and hydro-logical uses of radar measurements for prediction, and on the incorporation of radar measurements into atmospheric and hydrological prediction models through a highly math-ematical process known as data assimilation. New research frontiers include moving prediction increasingly toward kilometer-scale atmospheric modeling and radar-based warn-on-forecast as opposed to warn-on-observation systems. Weather radar, owing to operational wavelengths of ap-proximately 3 cm to 10 cm (i.e., approximately 10 GHz to 3 GHz) is ideal for penetrating regions of precipitation while providing meaningful returns for weather phenomenon characterization. Three levels of technology, as listed below, provide a trifecta of a strong foundation through a vibrant future. Technologies that have already

Reconfigurable real-time hardware-in-the-loop environment for automotive electronic control unit testing and verification

Abstract: To satisfy the ever increasing needs for safety, comfort, and environment protection of today's vehicles, the Electronic Control Units (ECU) and various sensors are getting more and more complex. Therefore, developing new control algorithms and cost efficient verification tools for a new generation of ECUs and sensors has become a highly important issue. This paper deals with the design and implementation of a versatile automated Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environment, which facilitates the development of control algorithms, calibration, and verification of state of the art sensors and ECUs. The environment is able to emulate the vehicles' dynamic behavior, reduces the time required for development and testing, and eliminates the need for using expensive real vehicles for testing purposes.

Integration of photovoltaic solar power - the quest towards dispatchability

Abstract: Existing photovoltaic (PV) power plants impact the power grid in a negative way due to a lack of voltage regulation, energy storage, forecasting and wide-area communications, measurement, and control. Currently utility-scale distributed solar PV plants on distribution networks have nominal capacities that are compatible with distribution substation MVA ratings e.g., between 5 and 30 MW. Furthermore, PV plants in the 30 to 100 MW power range are currently integrated in transmission networks. The system impacts are discussed, and mitigation solutions are proposed using advanced power converters, energy storage systems, as well as local and remote measurements and forecasting options. Case studies are provided.

Hydro energy generation and instrumentation & measurement: hydropower plant efficiency testing

Abstract: ydroelectric power generation was one of the first forms of large-scale electrical energy generation. In recent years, the hydro power industry has reached a new summit with China's Three Gorges Dam providing an amazing generation capacity of 22 500 MW of renewable energy. In 2012, around 16 % of the world?s consumed electricity was generated from hydropower [1]. Hydropower has a number of advantages compared to other types of electrical energy generation. One of them is using a renewable source of energy: water. By using water reservoirs as the source of energy, hydroelectric power plants can easily and quickly vary their power output. Water in hydropower plants? large reservoirs is used as a valuable energy storage resource (in the form of potential energy) in low-demand periods and transformed into electricity when desired. For large turbine-generator units, the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion process can have a combined efficiency of over 90%.

High accuracy current measurement in the main power converters of the large hadron collider: tutorial 53

Abstract: In the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the powering of the main dipole and quadrupole circuits is divided into eight separate powering sub sectors due to the very high magnetic energy stored in these circuits and to protection constraints of the superconducting magnets [1] As a consequence, individual sector currents must be controlled with very high accuracy in amplitude and time to ensure that the beam of particles sees the same magnetic field in all sectors This results in a requirement for current tracking between the different sectors of better than ± 5 ppm and short term stability of better than ± 2 ppm [1], at 13 kA currents

Cardiac pacemakers: past, present and future

Abstract: Pacemakers were the first active implantable devices. Being so commonly known nowadays, their use has been integrated to our daily lives, like the use of the aspirin or antibiotics. Only 60 years ago, people with heart diseases would have a very poor life quality or even died but ever since the use of pacemakers several heart diseases are not life threatening anymore. In this article, I present basic concepts about the physiology of the heart, the history of the development of cardiac pacemakers, and the characteristics of today's pacemaker designs.

Testing nacelles of wind turbines with a hardware in the loop test bench

Abstract: Testing of wind energy converters (WEC) at ground level in contrast to an in-field setup has increased in the last years. As it is an approach which is fundamentally different to in field-testing, it requires significant modifications of the measurement environment and the layout of the sensor system. To increase the reliability of WECs, a detailed investigation of the status of various electrical and mechanical values is necessary because good condition monitoring guarantees a well-controlled state of the turbine in the desired point of operation. This leads to an appropriate maintenance strategy that enhances the lifetime of the WEC. Crucial physical values can be identified easier at ground level testing than with an in-field setup. This article addresses the realization of Hardware in the Loop (HIL) concepts on signal and power level for the use in WEC nacelle testing. Moreover, the functionality of the 1 MW demonstrator test bench operating in HIL mode with a DUT controlled by the original nacelle controller is shown.

Measurement science: constructing bridges between reality and knowledge

Abstract: In this paper, we propose an explanation of the crucial role of measurement in our society by describing measurement as a bridge between the empirical world and the information world. We describe measurement science as built upon this feature, and we discuss its basic motivation and scope accordingly.

The significance of energy storage for renewable energy generation and the role of instrumentation and measurement

Abstract: Energy storage is not a new concept but is gaining importance in the context of the energy transition paradigm It is expected to play a key role in future electric power systems as the growing development of renewable energy resources and their increasing share in the energy mix introduce significant challenges to the existing power grid due to the high variability of these sources and loads With competitive energy storage, it will be possible to introduce more flexibility in the electrical system

Marine energy generation systems and related monitoring and control

Abstract: Energy is very important to the world as a driver of the modern society. According to estimations done by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the total global energy consumption is about 17 500 TW·h/yr [1]. In the past, fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas supplied the biggest part of this global consumption, and they were far larger than those of the renewable energy sources as Fig. 1 shows for 1973 [2]. In 2011, the production of renewable energy and global energy consumption increased, even though renewable energy was still much smaller than fossil fuels as Fig. 1 shows. [2].

What does a perfect blood pressure meter look like from a clinician point of view

Abstract: In our usual busy cardiology clinic, we always measure the blood pressure (BP) of our patients hundreds of times each week. At this moment, many physicians are still using a mercury sphygmomanometer in outpatient and inpatient clinics, and our hands lose gripping power by evening (Fig. 1). On the other hand, for a patient who comes to my office complaining of high BP for the first time, I always ask them to measure their BP at home or to wear an ambulatory BP monitoring device to obtain as exact and precise BP data as possible. However, such patients sometimes complain about the cumbersomeness or discomfort of frequent home BP measurements. Thus, I feel that the way of measuring BP (to pressurize a cuff manually or mechanically, to release it, and to read the value of BP) has not changed drastically for a long time even under this digital and computerized world. In this article, I give an overview of some problems faced in measuring BP, and propose an ideal BP measurement machine or mechanism for a clinician to measure BP as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

The sentence in the L'Aquila earthquake trial

Abstract: On April 6, 2009 the Italian town of L'Aquila was hit by a strong magnitude 6.3 earthquake that killed over 300 people, caused over 1600 casualties, and collapsed most buildings in L'Aquila and the neighboring villages.

The mathematical theory of evidence and measurement uncertainty - Expression and combination of measurement results via the random-fuzzy variables

Abstract: In a previous paper [1], it was proved how total ignorance can be effectively represented, in Shafer's theory of evidence [2], by a rectangular possibility distribution. In addition, it was shown how this concept can be usefully employed to mathematically represent situations that are often met in the measurement practice, especially in the industrial world [3]. The aim of this new paper is to show how possibility distributions can be effectively used to represent any kind of knowledge, from total ignorance to total evidence, and combine different contributions, if necessary.

The mathematical theory of evidence and measurement uncertainty

Abstract: In the previous papers [1], [2], it was shown how possibility distributions can be effectively employed to represent and propagate uncertainty in measurements. In particular, it was shown how the Random-Fuzzy variables (RFVs) can be effectively employed to represent a measurement result. The effects of the systematic and random contributions to uncertainty can be well identified in the RFV, and all confidence intervals at all confidence levels are provided, so that complete information about the measurement result is given. Moreover, this distinction also allows one to model the propagation of the systematic and the random contributions in two different ways, according to their different nature and different behavior when they combine.

Physician - Engineering collaboration

Abstract: The collaboration between physician and engineer is critical for the effective development of new devices and systems for the medical environment. There are a number of methods of collaborative practice in industry, and most physician/engineering collaboration is between structurally different organizations in which there are a variety of economic, social, and behavioral barriers to effective communication. Mayo Clinic has embedded engineers in patient care, research, medicine, and surgery, in order to create new devices and systems which are tailored directly to the needs of medical care and patients. The organization has electrical, mechanical, biomedical, software and chemical engineers as well as technologists, machinists and a glassblower combined in a Division of Engineering that concentrates on novel developments. The Mayo engineering staff collaborates with over sixty departments and divisions and hundreds of physicians, creating devices and instrumentation sometimes with additional collaboration with companies and research institutions around the world. Protecting intellectual property is critical so that the innovations can be brought to market for the ultimate benefit of the patient.

Impact factor and research quality

Abstract: The need to provide decision makers with information on the amount of work done by scientists has favored a large increase in the usage of citation indicators, such as the Impact Factor (IF). This ratio is defined as the relationship between the number of citations in a given year to articles published in a scientific journal in the two preceding years, and the total number of published articles in that journal over the same time period. Thus, it estimates the average number of citations per paper published in the considered journal, evaluated on a two-year interval. Much was written on the information conveyed by this indicator and on the consequences that potentially can result from its misuses. I would like to share with the readers of this magazine some of the issues associated with the usage of the IF in the research community.

The UA9 experiment on crystal-assisted collimation at the CERN-super proton synchrotron: tutorial 48

Abstract: Channeling is the phenomenon constraining the path of a charged particle in a crystalline solid. High-energy charged particles can be captured in channeling states by the electromagnetic potential of the atomic planes in a crystal, thus performing quasi-harmonic oscillations between them. Particles channeled in a bent crystal are deflected by the bend angle. This provides a powerful method to steer particle beams. The UA9 Collaboration investigates how tiny bent crystals could assist and improve the collimation process in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in view of future ultra-high luminosity operation. The work is supported by CERN (European Organization for High-Energy Physics in Geneva Switzerland), the INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare in Italy), the Imperial College (in London), LAL (Laboratoire de l?Accelereur Lineaire at Orsay, Paris), the PNPI (Petersburg Institute for Nuclear Physics, Gatchina, San Petersburg), the IHEP (Institute for High-Energy Physics in Protvino, Moscow) and the JINR (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Moscow). This tutorial describes the main features of UA9 and the method used to measure the reduced flux of nuclear debris produced by channeled particles.

Measurement-based performance analysis of wind energy systems

Abstract: Wind measurements for identifying and characterizing wind resources require instrumentation and analysis techniques for defining signal processing features for gusts, turbulence, and inflow winds. This paper describes the importance of those features for determining responses of wind turbines. In addition, when the system is deployed, the instrumentation that must be coordinated to manage the utility connection requirements, such as assessing reactive power supply, fault ride-through, and power quality monitoring, is also discussed. The control schemes for wind energy generation systems are discussed and associated with the system signal processing required to control active power generation.

LHC thermometry: laboratory precision on an industrial scale in a hostile environment: tutorial 52

Abstract: The measurement of cryogenic temperatures is essential for operating large-scale cryogenic installations and in experimental set-ups used for understanding low temperature physics phenomena. Recommendations on how to select and operate temperature sensors can be found in [1]-[2]. This paper presents how the CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) [3] requirements for measurement of cryogenic temperatures were met [4]-[9]. The main challenge was a temperature uncertainty of ±0.01 K in the range 1.8 K to 2.2 K that should take into account the background radiation field provoked by the LHC circulating proton beams, the sheer quantity of the measuring channels, and an operational lifetime of at least 20 years. The LHC superconducting magnets' temperature measurements are used in feedback closed control loops to adjust the cooling power. The measurement uncertainty has thus a direct impact on the width of the temperature control range that shall be as wide as possible to increase the availability of appropriate operation conditions for permitting the circulation of particle beams around the LHC accelerator.

The smartphone-enabled DMM

Abstract: The digital multimeter (DMM) is pervasive among technicians, engineers, and do-it-yourselfers. For a very small amount of money, one can obtain an instrument that measures dc and ac voltage, current, and resistance. DMMs have seen modest improvement since the original instruments, with advances in accuracy and improved features due primarily to advances in microelectronic integration. With the advent of smartphones, we see another possibility for advancement in DMMs. The two primary advantages of a smartphone-enabled DMM are compact size due to using the smartphone as the display and the opportunity for customized user interfaces for specific applications. In this article, we develop a prototype pen-style DMM that uses Bluetooth to communicate with an Apple iPhone.

Life after graduation

Abstract: Congratulations! You've passed too many finals to remember, completed research projects, and perhaps defended your thesis. Now to put all that knowledge to use!

Transformer-based measurement of critical currents in superconducting cables: tutorial 51

Abstract: Superconductivity is a technology with a declared interest in several fields of physics and engineering. Nowadays, superconducting cables [1] are largely exploited in fields such as particle colliders [2] and medical machines [3]. The generation of electrical energy with tokamaks [4] is a further application of low-temperature superconductivity as well. Moreover, the promises arising from High Temperature Superconductors (Tc>77 K) would extend the range of application, for instance, to power distribution [5]-[6].

Climate network: A climatological network for energy applications in urban areas

Abstract: Most energy consumption in Italy and other developed countries occurs in urban areas and urban-like industrial districts. The energy utilization rate is affected by local climate (e.g., for heating or cooling), and in turn, the dissipation of energy changes the local climate, affecting energy demand [1]. This interaction is highly complex, and its fine details tend to be highly site- and time-dependent, due to the large nonuniformities of thermal, roughness and radiation elements, as urban areas quickly evolve. A comprehension of it, and the underlying energy balance, is of paramount importance in order to devise rational plans and actuate them in measurable terms.

Signal conditioning and digitization for the ATLAS experiment: tutorial 46

Abstract: The ATLAS detector is composed of several subdetectors, each one with its signal conditioning and digitizing system, that provide the necessary analog signal conditioning (i.e., amplification, filtering, etc.), analog-to-digital conversion, digital signal processing (i.e., data compression, digital filtering, etc.), and interface to the successive data acquisition system of the experiment.

The measuring stick came before the wheel [Basic metrology]

Abstract: People who measure things - metrologists - are often unduly modest about their role in society. However, consider this: the wheel is lauded as the preeminent invention of stone-age man, although it is impossible to make a satisfactory example without a measuring-stick to ensure that all parts of the circumference are equidistant from the axle. Also, the progression of hunter-gatherer man to farmer man was facilitated by a clock whose indicating hand is the apparent motion of the sun across the sky, and even more by a calendar to set the optimum time for sowing seed, harvesting and so on, provided by the cyclic position of the rising or setting sun along the horizon. Therefore, all down the ages, advances in technology have usually been preceded by advances in measurement, even though occasionally, even within living memory, quite technically advanced machines were made on an individual basis without too much regard for metrology. I have in mind the engineer making steam locomotives who, when asked about machining tolerances, apocryphally replied, "We don't have tolerances - we make things fit!" Then Henry Ford came along, and, with the aid of accurate dimensional measurements, made interchangeable items and mass-production was born, except that it originated much, much earlier. More than two thousand years ago crossbows like those held by the soldiers of the Chinese terracotta army had trigger mechanisms to fire their bolts, which were cast in bronze from exact molds that made their parts interchangeable throughout the empire.

Using neural network techniques in environmental sensing and measurement systems to compensate for the effects of influence quantities

Abstract: Multiple influence quantities affect environmental sensing and measurement (ESM) systems. Accounting for their variations over time promotes metrological comparability and traceability of measurement results. Using suitable data processing techniques allows identification of the main influence quantities that affect the measurement result of a given quantity and allows evaluation of the associated compensation coefficients.

Liability in measurement [Legalmetrology]

Abstract: This is my first column on legal metrology and legal issues in metrology. When the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Instrument and Measurement Magazine, Dr. Wendy van Moer, asked me to hold this column, I felt really honored but also worried about this task. I am a lawyer, so my competences are quite far from the technical issues covered by this magazine, though I have always believed that justice and metrology have a common goal: ascertaining the factual truth. Hence, I gladly accepted this task in the hope that I will succeed in giving you a few glances at the dark side of the moon. So, why this column? Let me start by recalling the definition of metrology given by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM): "the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology."