Sistema inteligente com entrada e saída remota sem fio.

Este trabalho avalia o desempenho de um controlador fuzzy (tipo Takagi-Sugeno-Kang) quando, utilizando tecnologia sem fio para conectar as entradas e a saída do controlador aos sensores/atuadores, sofre perda das informações destes canais, resultado de perdas de pacotes. Tipicamente são utilizados controladores PID nas malhas de controle. Assim, o estudo realizado compara os resultados obtidos com os controladores fuzzy com os resultados dos controladores PID. Além disso, o trabalho visa estudar o comportamento deste controlador implementado em uma arquitetura microprocessada utilizando números inteiros nos cálculos, interpolação com segmentos de reta para as funções de pertinência da entrada e singletons nas funções de pertinência da saída. Para esse estudo foi utilizado, num ambiente Matlab/Simulink, um controlador fuzzy e o aplicativo True Time para simular o ambiente sem fio. Desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Controle Automático da Universidade de Lund, o True Time é baseado no Matlab/Simulink e fornece todas as ferramentas necessárias para a criação de um ambiente de rede (com e sem fio) virtual. Dado o paradigma de que quanto maior for a utilização do canal, maior a degradação do mesmo, é avaliado o comportamento do sistema de controle e uma proposta para diminuir o impacto da perda de pacotes no controle do sistema, bem como o impacto da variação das características internas da planta e da arquitetura utilizada na rede. Inicialmente são realizados ensaios utilizando-se o controlador fuzzy virtual (Simulink) e, posteriormente, o controlador implementado com dsPIC. Ao final, é apresentado um resumo desses ensaios e a comprovação dos bons resultados obtidos com um controlador fuzzy numa malha de controle utilizando uma rede na entrada e na saída do controlador.

Conservação de energia em redes de sensores sem fio.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo propor algoritmos para conservação de energia de uma rede de sensores sem fio (RSSF) aplicada ao monitoramento de um processo suave f(x , y, t), que depende das coordenadas x e y dos nós sensores, e do tempo t, de forma a aumentar a autonomia da rede. Os algoritmos rodam na camada de aplicação de cada nó, e visam a economia de energia dos nós através do gerenciamento da necessidade de transmissões. Após a primeira amostra transmitida, apenas amostras com uma variação percentual maior do que um dado limiar são transmitidas. Além disso, cada nó pode permanecer inativo (economizando energia) entre essas transmissões. Em RSSfs de salto único, são propostos dois algoritmos: um baseado na fonte, onde cada nó é responsável por todo o processamento e tomada de decisões, e outro baseado no sorvedouro, onde todo o processamento e a tomada de decisões são realizadas pelo sorvedouro. Além disso, uma extensão de algoritmo baseado na fonte é proposta, para RSSFs de múltiplos saltos. Através dos resultados obtidos, observa-se que os algoritmos conseguiram uma redução significativa da quantidade de transmissões, o que leva a um aumento do tempo de vida e o erro na reconstrução do processo é apresentada. Desta forma, pode-se conjugar a relação entre tempo de vida máximo e erro de reconstrução mínimo.

Localização colaborativa em robótica de enxame.

Diversas das possíveis aplicações da robótica de enxame demandam que cada robô seja capaz de estimar a sua posição. A informação de localização dos robôs é necessária, por exemplo, para que cada elemento do enxame possa se posicionar dentro de uma formatura de robôs pré-definida. Da mesma forma, quando os robôs atuam como sensores móveis, a informação de posição é necessária para que seja possível identificar o local dos eventos medidos. Em virtude do tamanho, custo e energia dos dispositivos, bem como limitações impostas pelo ambiente de operação, a solução mais evidente, i.e. utilizar um Sistema de Posicionamento Global (GPS), torna-se muitas vezes inviável. O método proposto neste trabalho permite que as posições absolutas de um conjunto de nós desconhecidos sejam estimadas, com base nas coordenadas de um conjunto de nós de referência e nas medidas de distância tomadas entre os nós da rede. A solução é obtida por meio de uma estratégia de processamento distribuído, onde cada nó desconhecido estima sua própria posição e ajuda os seus vizinhos a calcular as suas respectivas coordenadas. A solução conta com um novo método denominado Multi-hop Collaborative Min-Max Localization (MCMM), ora proposto com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade da posição inicial dos nós desconhecidos em caso de falhas durante o reconhecimento dos nós de referência. O refinamento das posições é feito com base nos algoritmos de busca por retrocesso (BSA) e de otimização por enxame de partículas (PSO), cujos desempenhos são comparados. Para compor a função objetivo, é introduzido um novo método para o cálculo do fator de confiança dos nós da rede, o Fator de Confiança pela Área Min-Max (MMA-CF), o qual é comparado com o Fator de Confiança por Saltos às Referências (HTA-CF), previamente existente. Com base no método de localização proposto, foram desenvolvidos quatro algoritmos, os quais são avaliados por meio de simulações realizadas no MATLABr e experimentos conduzidos em enxames de robôs do tipo Kilobot. O desempenho dos algoritmos é avaliado em problemas com diferentes topologias, quantidades de nós e proporção de nós de referência. O desempenho dos algoritmos é também comparado com o de outros algoritmos de localização, tendo apresentado resultados 40% a 51% melhores. Os resultados das simulações e dos experimentos demonstram a eficácia do método proposto.

Micro-measurement and monitoring system for ageing underground infrastructure (Underground M3)

Advances in the development of computer vision, miniature Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) offer intriguing possibilities that can radically alter the paradigms underlying existing methods of condition assessment and monitoring of ageing civil engineering infrastructure. This paper describes some of the outcomes of the European Science Foundation project "Micro-Measurement and Monitoring System for Ageing Underground Infrastructures (Underground M3)". The main aim of the project was to develop a system that uses a tiered approach to monitor the degree and rate of tunnel deterioration. The system comprises of (1) Tier 1: Micro-detection using advances in computer vision and (2) Tier 2: Micro-monitoring and communication using advances in MEMS and WSN. These potentially low-cost technologies will be able to reduce costs associated with end-of-life structures, which is essential to the viability of rehabilitation, repair and reuse. The paper describes the actual deployment and testing of these innovative monitoring tools in tunnels of London Underground, Prague Metro and Barcelona Metro. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.

面向网络生存时间的传感器网络融合延迟分配算法

融合延迟分配策略是影响数据融合效率的重要因素之一,而数据融合的目的是减少数据冗余,降低网络能量消耗,延长网络生存时间.提出了一种面向网络生存时间的延迟分配算法,该算法直接以网络生存时间为优化目标,根据对网络生存时间的贡献分配传输延迟;通过理论推导证明了该算法的有效性;引入动态规划方程,给出了该算法的具体实现;最后通过仿真实验给出了各参数对网络生存时间的影响关系.

无线传感器网络中一种启发式最小连通支配集算法

针对最小连通配集问题设计了一种具有较高能量效率的启发式算法。算法首先把网络中所有的节点作为最小连通支配集的一个初始解,然后利用启发式修剪策略剔除冗余节点从而减小最小连通支配集的大小,直到没有冗余节点存在。文中将算法分成集中式和分布式两种情况进行了详细讨论。仿真结果表明,由于实现简便,该算法与其他已有算法相比较,在算法复杂性和算法稳定运行时间上有一定的优势。

用于工业过程监测的无线传感器网络路由协议研究

微电子、无线通信、自动控制和人工智能等领域的技术进步，推动了无线传感器网络的发展。无线传感器网络改变了人与自然的交互方式，是二十一世纪最具影响的IT技术之一，在军事、环境、医疗、家庭、工业和其它领域有广阔的应用前景。 路由协议是目前传感器网络研究的重要内容，协议设计与网络应用密切相关。在工业无线监测应用中，路由协议设计的主要目标是提高可靠性和降低节点能耗；而传统网络路由协议设计的首要任务是提供高质量的数据服务。这些不同导致传统网络的路由协议不能直接应用于工业过程监测网络。论文针对工业无线监测应用的需求和特点展开研究工作，主要包括以下几方面内容。 论述了工业无线传感器网络路由协议设计所面临的挑战性问题，系统地总结了已有研究成果与不足，具体分析了在工业过程监测环境下无线传感器网络的特点和路由需要重点解决的问题。 分析了工业过程监测应用对传感器网络的路由需求，并实地测试了工厂车间环境下的信道质量。 针对这些工业应用的实际需求，提出了在减少协议开销、降低协议能耗的同时提高数据传输可靠性的路由机制，以满足不同现场设备对数据路由的需求。 针对工业过程监测网络中的上行数据量大且具有周期性的特点，提出了一种基于链路质量估计的逐跳多径路由协议。该协议使数据在每一跳的转发过程中都有多条路径可以使用，在提高转发成功率的同时避免了端到端多路径机制带来的大量开销。 针对工业过程监测应用中下行数据量少且具有非周期性的特点，提出了基于分布式编址算法的主动路由协议。该协议中，传感器节点分配到下行地址之后就可以计算出下一跳转发地址，从而避免了采用基于广播转发的方式，大大减少了路由开销。同时，单播转发的下行数据不会引发“广播风暴”，减轻了对网络中周期性上行数据转发的影响。 针对手持设备所具有的移动性、数据量少和通信不频繁的特点，设计了面向移动设备的低开销按需路由协议。该协议只在手持设备有远程连接需求的时候才建立主路由，然后按需延长，避免手持设备每移动一次就要重新进行路由发现。此外，在路由发现环节利用了已经建立好的主动路由，通过单播方式转发路由发现报文，不但大幅减少了协议开销，同时也保证了所选路由的高质量。 为了测试本文提供的路由协议在工厂车间内的实际效果，构建了一个工作在2.4GHz上的验证系统。该验证系统以网络层的可靠性机制为基础，通过在链路层采用TDMA机制、FDMA机制和在传输层重传等机制的配合，达到了较高的报文传输可靠性，证明本文提出的路由协议能够满足工业过程监测应用的需要。

The CLARITY modular ambient health and wellness measurement platform

Emerging healthcare applications can benefit enormously from recent advances in pervasive technology and computing. This paper introduces the CLARITY Modular Ambient Health and Wellness Measurement Platform:, which is a heterogeneous and robust pervasive healthcare solution currently under development at the CLARITY Center for Sensor Web Technologies. This intelligent and context-aware platform comprises the Tyndall Wireless Sensor Network prototyping system, augmented with an agent-based middleware and frontend computing architecture. The key contribution of this work is to highlight how interoperability, expandability, reusability and robustness can be manifested in the modular design of the constituent nodes and the inherently distributed nature of the controlling software architecture.Emerging healthcare applications can benefit enormously from recent advances in pervasive technology and computing. This paper introduces the CLARITY Modular Ambient Health and Wellness Measurement Platform:, which is a heterogeneous and robust pervasive healthcare solution currently under development at the CLARITY Center for Sensor Web Technologies. This intelligent and context-aware platform comprises the Tyndall Wireless Sensor Network prototyping system, augmented with an agent-based middleware and frontend computing architecture. The key contribution of this work is to highlight how interoperability, expandability, reusability and robustness can be manifested in the modular design of the constituent nodes and the inherently distributed nature of the controlling software architecture.

Remote electricity actuation and monitoring mote

This work presents the design and evaluation of the REAM (Remote Electricity Actuation and Monitoring) node based around the modular Tyndall Mote platform. The REAM node enables the user to remotely actuate power to a mains power extension board while sampling the current, voltage, power and power factor of the attached load. The node contains a current transformer interfaced to an Energy Metering IC which continuously samples current and voltage. These values are periodically read from the part by a PIC24 microcontroller, which calculates the RMS current and voltage, power factor and overall power. The resultant values can then be queried wirelessly employing the Tyndall 802.15.4 compliant wireless module.

A knowledge management system to optimise comfort throughout the building life-cycle

Comfort is, in essence, satisfaction with the environment, and with respect to the indoor environment it is primarily satisfaction with the thermal conditions and air quality. Improving comfort has social, health and economic benefits, and is more financially significant than any other building cost. Despite this, comfort is not strictly managed throughout the building lifecycle. This is mainly due to the lack of an appropriate system to adequately manage comfort knowledge through the construction process into operation. Previous proposals to improve knowledge management have not been successfully adopted by the construction industry. To address this, the BabySteps approach was devised. BabySteps is an approach, proposed by this research, which states that for an innovation to be adopted into the industry it must be implementable through a number of small changes. This research proposes that improving the management of comfort knowledge will improve comfort. ComMet is a new methodology proposed by this research that manages comfort knowledge. It enables comfort knowledge to be captured, stored and accessed throughout the building life-cycle and so allowing it to be re-used in future stages of the building project and in future projects. It does this using the following: Comfort Performances – These are simplified numerical representations of the comfort of the indoor environment. Comfort Performances quantify the comfort at each stage of the building life-cycle using standard comfort metrics. Comfort Ratings - These are a means of classifying the comfort conditions of the indoor environment according to an appropriate standard. Comfort Ratings are generated by comparing different Comfort Performances. Comfort Ratings provide additional information relating to the comfort conditions of the indoor environment, which is not readily determined from the individual Comfort Performances. Comfort History – This is a continuous descriptive record of the comfort throughout the project, with a focus on documenting the items and activities, proposed and implemented, which could potentially affect comfort. Each aspect of the Comfort History is linked to the relevant comfort entity it references. These three components create a comprehensive record of the comfort throughout the building lifecycle. They are then stored and made available in a common format in a central location which allows them to be re-used ad infinitum. The LCMS System was developed to implement the ComMet methodology. It uses current and emerging technologies to capture, store and allow easy access to comfort knowledge as specified by ComMet. LCMS is an IT system that is a combination of the following six components: Building Standards; Modelling & Simulation; Physical Measurement through the specially developed Egg-Whisk (Wireless Sensor) Network; Data Manipulation; Information Recording; Knowledge Storage and Access.Results from a test case application of the LCMS system - an existing office room at a research facility - highlighted that while some aspects of comfort were being maintained, the building’s environment was not in compliance with the acceptable levels as stipulated by the relevant building standards. The implementation of ComMet, through LCMS, demonstrates how comfort, typically only considered during early design, can be measured and managed appropriately through systematic application of the methodology as means of ensuring a healthy internal environment in the building.

Simplified decoding techniques for linear block codes

Error correcting codes are combinatorial objects, designed to enable reliable transmission of digital data over noisy channels. They are ubiquitously used in communication, data storage etc. Error correction allows reconstruction of the original data from received word. The classical decoding algorithms are constrained to output just one codeword. However, in the late 50’s researchers proposed a relaxed error correction model for potentially large error rates known as list decoding. The research presented in this thesis focuses on reducing the computational effort and enhancing the efficiency of decoding algorithms for several codes from algorithmic as well as architectural standpoint. The codes in consideration are linear block codes closely related to Reed Solomon (RS) codes. A high speed low complexity algorithm and architecture are presented for encoding and decoding RS codes based on evaluation. The implementation results show that the hardware resources and the total execution time are significantly reduced as compared to the classical decoder. The evaluation based encoding and decoding schemes are modified and extended for shortened RS codes and software implementation shows substantial reduction in memory footprint at the expense of latency. Hermitian codes can be seen as concatenated RS codes and are much longer than RS codes over the same aphabet. A fast, novel and efficient VLSI architecture for Hermitian codes is proposed based on interpolation decoding. The proposed architecture is proven to have better than Kötter’s decoder for high rate codes. The thesis work also explores a method of constructing optimal codes by computing the subfield subcodes of Generalized Toric (GT) codes that is a natural extension of RS codes over several dimensions. The polynomial generators or evaluation polynomials for subfield-subcodes of GT codes are identified based on which dimension and bound for the minimum distance are computed. The algebraic structure for the polynomials evaluating to subfield is used to simplify the list decoding algorithm for BCH codes. Finally, an efficient and novel approach is proposed for exploiting powerful codes having complex decoding but simple encoding scheme (comparable to RS codes) for multihop wireless sensor network (WSN) applications.