scholarly journals An On-Line Low-Cost Irradiance Monitoring Network with Sub-Second Sampling Adapted to Small-Scale PV Systems

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 3405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Espinosa-Gavira ◽  
Agustín Agüera-Pérez ◽  
Juan González de la Rosa ◽  
José Palomares-Salas ◽  
José Sierra-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Sensor Networks ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Photovoltaic Systems ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Cloud Motion

Very short-term solar forecasts are gaining interest for their application on real-time control of photovoltaic systems. These forecasts are intimately related to the cloud motion that produce variations of the irradiance field on scales of seconds and meters, thus particularly impacting in small photovoltaic systems. Very short-term forecast models must be supported by updated information of the local irradiance field, and solar sensor networks are positioning as the more direct way to obtain these data. The development of solar sensor networks adapted to small-scale systems as microgrids is subject to specific requirements: high updating frequency, high density of measurement points and low investment. This paper proposes a wireless sensor network able to provide snapshots of the irradiance field with an updating frequency of 2 Hz. The network comprised 16 motes regularly distributed over an area of 15 m × 15 m (4 motes × 4 motes, minimum intersensor distance of 5 m). The irradiance values were estimated from illuminance measurements acquired by lux-meters in the network motes. The estimated irradiances were validated with measurements of a secondary standard pyranometer obtaining a mean absolute error of 24.4 W/m 2 and a standard deviation of 36.1 W/m 2 . The network was able to capture the cloud motion and the main features of the irradiance field even with the reduced dimensions of the monitoring area. These results and the low-cost of the measurement devices indicate that this concept of solar sensor networks would be appropriate not only for photovoltaic plants in the range of MW, but also for smaller systems such as the ones installed in microgrids.

scholarly journals Application of the Novint Falcon haptic device as an actuator in real-time control

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Block ◽  
Mark B. Michelotti ◽  
Ramavarapu S. Sreenivas
Keyword(s):  
Embedded System ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Force Feedback ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Input Device ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Modeling And Control ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Viable Solution

AbstractThis paper describes the development of an embedded system whose purpose is to control the Novint Falcon as a robot, and to develop a control experiment that demonstrates the use the Novint Falcon as a robotic actuator. The Novint Falcon, which is a PC input device, is “haptic” in the sense that it has a force feedback component. Its relatively low cost compared with other platforms makes it a good candidate for academic application in robot modeling and control. An embedded system is developed to interface with the multiple motors and sensors present in the Novint Falcon, which is subsequently used to control three independent Novint Falcons for a “ballon- plate” experiment. The results show that the device is a viable solution for high-speed actuation of small-scale mechanical systems.

scholarly journals Enhancing multi-bioreactor platforms for automated measurements and reactive experiment control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Bertaux ◽  
Sebastián Sosa Carrillo ◽  
Achille Fraisse ◽  
Chetan Aditya ◽  
Mariela Furstenheim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Automated Measurements ◽  
Experiment Control ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractNew small-scale, low-cost bioreactor designs provide researchers with exquisite control of environmental parameters of microbial cultures over long durations, allowing them to perform sophisticated, high-quality experiments that are particularly useful in systems biology, synthetic biology and bioengineering. However, existing setups are limited in their automated measurement capabilities, primarily because sensitive and specific measurements require bulky, expensive, stand-alone instruments (for example, most single-cell resolved measurements require a cytometer or a microscope). We present here ReacSight, a generic and flexible strategy to enhance multi-bioreactor platforms for automated measurements and reactive experiment control. We use ReacSight to assemble a platform for single-cell resolved characterization and reactive optogenetic control of parallel yeast continuous cultures. We demonstrate its usefulness by achieving parallel real-time control of gene expression with light in different bioreactors and by exploring the relationship between fitness, nutrient scarcity and cellular stress density using highly-controlled and informative competition assays.

Temperature and conductivity as control parameters for pollution-based real-time control

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.P.S. Schilperoort ◽  
G. Gruber ◽  
C.M.L. Flamink ◽  
F.H.L.R. Clemens ◽  
J.H.J.M. van der Graaf
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Normal Behaviour ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Wastewater Systems ◽  
Typical Behaviour ◽  
Good Relation ◽  
Set Up

Most sewer system performance indicators are not easily measurable online at high frequencies in wastewater systems, which hampers real-time control with those parameters. Instead of using a constituent of wastewater, an alternative could be to use characteristics of wastewater that are relatively easily measurable in sewer systems and could serve as indicator parameters for the dilution process of wastewater. This paper focuses on the possibility to use the parameters of temperature and conductivity. It shows a good relation of temperature and conductivity with the dilution of DWF (dry weather flow) during WWF (wet weather flow) a monitoring station in Graz, Austria, as an example. The simultaneous monitoring of both parameters leads to valuable back-up information in case one parameter (temperature) shows no reaction to a storm event. However, for various reasons, anomalies occur in the typical behaviour of both parameters. The frequency and extent of these anomalies will determine the usefulness of the proposed parameters in a system for pollution-based real-time control. Both the normal behaviour and the anomalies will be studied further by means of trend and correlation analyses of data to be obtained from a monitoring network for the parameters of interest that is currently being set up in the Netherlands.

scholarly journals Gloxinia—An Open-Source Sensing Platform to Monitor the Dynamic Responses of Plants

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 3055
Author(s):  
Olivier Pieters ◽  
Tom De Swaef ◽  
Peter Lootens ◽  
Michiel Stock ◽  
Isabel Roldán-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Data Logging ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sensing Platforms

The study of the dynamic responses of plants to short-term environmental changes is becoming increasingly important in basic plant science, phenotyping, breeding, crop management, and modelling. These short-term variations are crucial in plant adaptation to new environments and, consequently, in plant fitness and productivity. Scalable, versatile, accurate, and low-cost data-logging solutions are necessary to advance these fields and complement existing sensing platforms such as high-throughput phenotyping. However, current data logging and sensing platforms do not meet the requirements to monitor these responses. Therefore, a new modular data logging platform was designed, named Gloxinia. Different sensor boards are interconnected depending upon the needs, with the potential to scale to hundreds of sensors in a distributed sensor system. To demonstrate the architecture, two sensor boards were designed—one for single-ended measurements and one for lock-in amplifier based measurements, named Sylvatica and Planalta, respectively. To evaluate the performance of the system in small setups, a small-scale trial was conducted in a growth chamber. Expected plant dynamics were successfully captured, indicating proper operation of the system. Though a large scale trial was not performed, we expect the system to scale very well to larger setups. Additionally, the platform is open-source, enabling other users to easily build upon our work and perform application-specific optimisations.

A Low Cost Fault-Tolerant Multiprocessor System for Real-Time Control

1986 ◽  
Vol 19 (13) ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
J.J. Serrano ◽  
C. Cebrián ◽  
J. Vila ◽  
R. Ors
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Fault Tolerant ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Multiprocessor System ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Time Control

Translation + Pendaphonics = Movement Modulated Media

Leonardo ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron Lahey ◽  
Winslow Burleson ◽  
Elizabeth Streb
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Vertical Wall ◽  
State University ◽  
Arizona State University ◽  
Motion Sensing ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Projected Image ◽  
Time Control

Translation is a multimedia dance performed on a vertical wall filled with the projected image of a lunar surface. Pendaphonics is a low-cost, versatile, and robust motion-sensing hardware-software system integrated with the rigging of Translation to detect the dancers' motion and provide real-time control of the virtual moonscape. Replacing remotely triggered manual cues with high-resolution, real-time control by the performers expands the expressive range and ensures synchronization of feedback with the performers' movements. This project is the first application of an ongoing collaboration between the Motivational Environments Research Group at Arizona State University (ASU) and STREB Extreme Action Company.

Evaluation of a Low-Cost Microcontroller for Real-Time Control Education and Prototyping

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan W. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Control ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Serial Communication ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Active User ◽  
Bode Plots ◽  
Control Education

Arduino microcontrollers are popular, low-cost, easy-to-program, and have an active user community. This paper seeks to quantitatively assess whether or not Arduinos are a good fit for real-time feedback control experiments and controls education. Bode plots and serial echo tests are used to assess the use of Arduinos in two scenarios: a prototyping mode that involves bidirectional real-time serial communication with a PC and a hybrid mode that streams data in real-time over serial. The closed-loop performance with the Arduino is comparable to that of another more complicated and more expensive microcontroller for the plant considered. Some practical tips on using an Arduino for real-time feedback control are also given.

The Development of an Experimental Force Feedback Dynamometer to Investigate the Real Time Control of an Oscillating Wave Surge Converter

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Banks ◽  
Jos van ’t Hoff ◽  
Kenneth Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Force Feedback ◽  
Position Control ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Damping Torque ◽  
And Control

An Oscillating Wave Surge Converter (OWSC) is a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) that consists of a bottom-hinged flap which oscillates due to wave action. Extensive research has been performed on this type of WEC through small scale experimental wave tank tests. One of the key challenges of experimental testing is replicating the characteristics of the Power Take-Off (PTO) system of the equivalent full scale WEC. Many scale models rely on simplified mechanical designs to simulate a PTO system. This can often restrict the experimental research into the influence of PTO design and control strategies of WECs. In order to model PTO systems and control strategies more accurately other tools are needed. This paper describes the design and build of a PLC controlled Force Feedback Dynamometer (FFD) system that enables the testing of more sophisticated control strategies applicable to an OWSC through fast application of a variable PTO damping torque. A PLC system is shown to be a viable control for PTO strategy investigations through velocity triggered damping levels. Examples of both PTO and position control strategies are presented.

Real-Time Public Transport Operations: Library of Control Strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 2647 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Mahmoodi Nesheli ◽  
Avishai (Avi) Ceder
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Procedure ◽  
Service Reliability ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Control Actions

Modern public transport (PT) operations have evolved into a complex multimodal system in which small-scale disorder can propagate. Large-scale disruptions to passengers and PT agencies result. Various studies have been developed to model PT control at the operational level; however, the main downside of possible real-time control actions is the lack of intelligent modeling and a systematic process that can activate such actions immediately. This study presents a real-time control procedure to increase service reliability and to improve successful coordinated transfers in a complex PT system. The developed method aims at minimizing total travel time for passengers and reducing the uncertainty of meetings between PT vehicles. A library of operational tactics is first built to serve as a basis of the real-time decision-making process. The methodology developed is applied to a real-life case study in Auckland, New Zealand. The results showed improvements in system performance and confirmed the use of real-time control actions to maintain reliable PT service.

Design of Process Controller Based on PCI Interface and CPLD Technology

2012 ◽  
Vol 614-615 ◽  
pp. 1562-1565
Author(s):  
Yu Sen Li ◽  
Ying Sun
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pulse Signal ◽  
Pci Bus ◽  
Signal Acquisition ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Interface Chip ◽  
Design Ideas

In order to realize the sensor signal acquisition and analysis of data, according to data acquisition system design ideas of the PCI bus, applying to CPLD complex programmable controller and CH365 interface chip and combined with the actual needs of data collection ,designed a kind of low cost, high speed process controller. CPLD realizes data cache control and the control of reading. This design can gather 16 roads analog signals and real-time pulse signal of 8 roads on the same time, which includes a 16-bit digital output channel and a 32-bit counter, could be used in the real-time control.

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