Cell phone Detector

The circuit can detect both the incoming and outgoing calls, SMS and video transmission even if the mobile phone is kept in the silent mode. The moment the bug detects RF transmission signal from an activated mobile phone, it starts sounding a beep alarm and the LED blinks. The alarm continues until the signal transmission ceases.
 

An ordinary RF detector using tuned LC circuits is not suitable for detecting signals in the GHz frequency band used in mobile phones. The transmission frequency of mobile phones ranges from 0.9 to 3 GHz with a wavelength of 3.3 to 10 cm. So a circuit detecting gigahertz signals is required for a mobile bug.

Here the circuit uses a 0.22µF disk capacitor (C3) to capture the RF signals from the mobile phone. The lead length of the capacitor is fixed as 18 mm with a spacing of 8 mm between the leads to get the desired frequency. The disk capacitor along with the leads acts as a small gigahertz loop antenna to collect the RF signals from the mobile phone.Op-amp IC CA3130 (IC1) is used in the circuit as a current-to-voltage converter with capacitor C3 connected between its inverting and non-inverting inputs. It is a CMOS version using gate-protected p-channel MOSFET transistors in the input to provide very high input impedance, very low input current and very high speed of performance. The output CMOS transistor is capable of swinging the output voltage to within 10 mV of either supply voltage terminal.

Capacitor C3 in conjunction with the lead inductance acts as a transmission line that intercepts the signals from the mobile phone. This capacitor creates a field, stores energy and transfers the stored energy in the form of minute current to the inputs of IC1. This will upset the balanced input of IC1 and convert the current into the corresponding output voltage.

Capacitor C4 along with high-value resistor R1 keeps the non-inverting input stable for easy swing of the output to high state. Resistor R2 provides the discharge path for capacitor C4. Feedback resistor R3 makes the inverting input high when the output becomes high. Capacitor C5 (47pF) is connected across ‘strobe’ (pin 8) and ‘null’ inputs (pin 1) of IC1 for phase compensation and gain control to optimise the frequency
response.When the cell phone detector signal is detected by C3, the output of IC1 becomes high and low alternately according to the frequency of the signal as indicated by LED1. This triggers monostable timer IC2 through capacitor C7. Capacitor C6 maintains the base bias of transistor T1 for fast switching action. The low-value timing components R6 and C9 produce very short time delay to avoid audio nuisance.

Assemble the cell phone detector circuit on a general purpose PCB as compact as possible and enclose in a small box like junk mobile case. As mentioned earlier, capacitor C3 should have a lead length of 18 mm with lead spacing of 8 mm. Carefully solder the capacitor in standing position with equal spacing of the leads. The response can be optimised by trimming the lead length of C3 for the desired frequency. You may use a
short telescopic type antenna.Use the miniature 12V battery of a remote control and a small buzzer to make the gadget pocket-size. The unit will give the warning indication if someone uses mobile phone
within a radius of 1.5 meters.

Water Level Indicator

Its purpose was to remotely monitor the water-level in a metal tank located in the attic by means of a very simple control unit placed in the kitchen, some floors below.

Mains requirements were:

• No separate supply for the remote circuit.
• Main and remote units connected by a thin two-wire cable.
• Simple LED display for the main unit.
• Battery operation to avoid problems related to mains supply and water proximity.
• As the circuit was battery operated a low current consumption was obviously welcomed.
• The very small remote unit is placed near the tank and measures the water level in three ranges by means of two steel rods. Each range will cover one third of the tank capacity:
• Almost empty - signaled by means of a red LED (D3) in the control unit display.
• About half-level - signaled by means of a yellow LED (D2) in the control unit display.
• Almost full - signaled by means of a green LED (D1) in the control unit display.
• Circuit operation: When the water-level is below the steel rods, no contact is occurring from the metal can and the rods, which are supported by a small insulated (wooden) board. The small circuit built around IC1 draws no current and therefore no voltage drop is generated across R5. IC2A, IC2B and Q1 are wired as a window comparator and, as there is zero voltage at input pins #2 and #5, D3 will illuminate.
• When the water comes in contact with the first rod, pin #13 of IC1 will go high, as its input pins #9 to #12 were shorted to negative by means of the water contact. Therefore, R4 will be connected across the full supply voltage and the remote circuit will draw a current of about 9mA. This current will cause a voltage drop of about 0.9V across R5 and the window comparator will detect this voltage and will change its state, switching off D3 and illuminating D2.
• When the water will reach the second rod, also pin #1 of IC1 will go high for the same reason explained above. Now either R3 and R4 will be connected across the full supply voltage and the total current drawing of the remote circuit will be about 18mA. The voltage drop across R5 will be now about 1.8V and the window comparator will switch off D2 and will drive D1.
• The battery will last very long because the circuit will be mostly in the off state. Current is needed only for a few seconds when P1 is pushed to check the water-level and one of the LEDs illuminates.
• The two steel rods must be supported by a small insulated (wooden) board
• IC1 and R1-R4 are mounted on a small board placed near or on the steel rods support
• The two-wire cable connecting the remote circuit board to the main control board, i.e. J1 to J2, can be of any size and type (preferably thin for obvious reasons). It can be very long, if necessary.
• The circuit can be used also with non-metal tanks, provided a third steel rod having the height of the tank will be added and connected to pin #7 of IC1, R3, R4 and J1.
• The 4012 chip was chosen because it contains two gates and was at hand, but you can use two of the gates contained into 4001, 4011, 4093, 4049, 4069 etc. chips, provided all inputs of each gate are tied together and all inputs of unused gates are connected to the positive rail, leaving output pins open.

Method for autonomous Picking Of Paper Reels

Autonomous forklift handling systems is one of the most interesting research in the last decades. While research fields such as path planning and map building are taking the most significant work for other type of autonomous vehicles, detecting objects that need to move and picking it up becomes one of the most important research fields in autonomous forklifts field.

We in this research had provided an algorithm for detecting paper reels accurate position in paper reels warehouses giving a map of the warehouse itself. Another algorithm is provided for giving the priority of papers that want to be picked up. Finally two algorithms for choosing the most appropriate direction for picking the target reel and for choosing the safest path to reach the target reel without damage it are provided.

While working on the last two algorithms shows very nice results, building map for unknown stake of papers by accumulating maps over time still tricky. In the following pages we will go in detail by the steps that we followed to provide these algorithms started from giving an over view to the problem background and moving through the method that we used or we developed and ending by result.

Structural Test bench Development for DSP Models

The objective of this thesis is the development of a set of library models from which a structural test bench can be created. This thesis also describes creation of the structural test bench using the library of primitive components and Synopsis Graphical Environment, a conventional schematic capture tool. 

This approach has been implemented for two applications:

1) A 2D Image processing algorithm – Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) .

2) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). 

An intelligent interface developed in C combines the structural model with user information which provides for generics and inputs. This thesis also shows how a requirements capture tool can be used to generate generic values.

Pre Paid Energy Meter With Microcontroller Programming

In this project we show that how we interface the digital energy meter to the easy recharge unit and convert this meter into prepaid energy meter. By using this technique we show that how we convert all meter with the prepaid logic. When any concept is prepaid then there is a security of misuse of electricity uses. Normally in every postpaid connection bill is much higher then the prepaid. 

When there is postpaid, no body want t take care of the wastage, but at the end of month when bill is present then bill is paid by the house incharge, small workers in the office, employees in the school, in all the private and govt office no body want to take care of the wastage. So we add some innovative idea to avoid and save this valuable energy for every one.

In this project we use one LCD screen. LCD screen display the balance amount every time, LCD screen not only show the balance amount but at the same time lcd display the unit consumption. When the balance is zero then output is off. Now for continue the voltage we must need to recharge the unit from the mobile phone.

DESIGNING OF PANEL BOARDS

The panel board is a single panel or group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a single panel, including buses and automatic overcurrent devices, and equipped with or without switches for the control of light, heat, or power circuits; It is designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout box ; and accessible only from the front.

An electrical panel board is a place where power generation can be monitored and the power generated can be distributed.It houses circuit breakers, switches and cont actors also. Electrical Panel Boards are designed and developed using optimum quality raw material procured from reliable sources.these are specifically designed to provide extensive resistance to electric and thermal power.These panels are catering to various needs of automobile and allied industries.

Usually used in commercial and industrial applications similar to the electric panel used in home. The Panel board uses breakers that bolt on rather than clip on and also used for higher voltages such as 277/480. The boards may also have a higher AIC rating which will suffer a larger arc or short.

Remote Controlling of Home Appliances using Mobile Telephony

In modern days, we must use various high-tech machineries and equipments to get our jobs done and make the life easier. These machineries should be controlled by the homeowner from any location as the homeowner might be away from home at workplace or traveling in a different place in the weekend. Thus a system of remote monitoring and controlling are very much necessary.

Smart home is one of these types of system equipped with home appliances which we wish to control smartly from anywhere. Some products are commercially available which allow remote home appliance controlling through internet which is undoubtedly emerging. But it lacks the true sense of real mobility and security, making the remote home appliance controlling a limited term than it is supposed to be.

In search of a true remote and adequately secure solution to be really effective and practicable, mobile telephony is better than any other solutions. Mobile phones have become almost an inseparable part of civil lives today. In this paper we introduce a new mechanism so that the ordinary services of the mobile phones can be leveraged to communicate with and control the home appliances and make our homes a really smart one.

Failures of Distribution Transformer -Remedial Solution

A distribution transformer is a transformer that provides the final voltage transformation in the electric power distribution system, stepping down the voltage used in the distribution lines to the level used by the customer. They are often used for the power supply of facilities outside settlements, such as isolated houses, farmyards or pumping stations at voltages below 30kV. Another application is the power supply of switch heating from the overhead wire of railways electrified with AC. There had been a consistent reduction in failure rate of distribution transformers from 22.9% in 1999-2000 to 17.9% in 2001-02. Subsequently, the trend had reversed and the failure rate increased to 19.4% in 2004-05 in India.

The main factors causing failure of transformers are insulation Failures, design or manufacturing errors, oil contamination, over-loading, line surge, maintenance, explosion, etc. The high rate of failure of secondary distribution transformer in power systems may perhaps be described as 0ne of the tragedies of distribution system management of present times especially in developing countries like India.

One of the remedial solutions to overcome this problem is CSP (completely self-protected technology).The advent of CSP technology has encouraged progressive manufacturers to go in for high performance distribution transformers which mitigate the operation and maintenance problems associated with conventional transformers. CSP technology enables a transformer to protect itself from faults. CSP system has essentially three components. They are primary fuse which is used as internal expulsion fuse for system protection. Secondary circuit breaker is used for over load and secondary fault protection, signal light, the emergency control magnetic trip and surge arrester used for lightning protection. CSP technology also helps in thermal protection to the transformer where maximum oil temperature is limiting constant. The other important function of CSP technology is a use of CSP circuit breaker for secondary fault protection, i.e. for the faults external to the transformer. Hence the construction features consists of circuit breaker, with its major elements of temperature sensing, latching, tripping and current interrupter. One of the most important desired task done by the CSP transformer during engineer is the coordination between the primary fuse and secondary circuit breaker and performing the coordination task. The benefits for CSP technology is low installed cost, less time for installation, safe operation and more reliable service.

Thus CSP technology has paved the way to high performance distribution transformer and better distribution system management.

Scroll a Message On LCD Display

The aim of this project is to scroll a message on  LCD display from a PC or a key board.  This scrolling message board is not a simple  message box. Instead of showing a static text,It scrolls the text to maximize visitors attention.Generally a situation may come where we need to display message from our keyboard on to LCD directly and it is achieved by making an interface from pc to an LED using “ARM processor”. ARM is abbreviated as ADVANCED RISC MACHINE .

OPERATION:-

• Switch on the power supply to the transmitter section after making necessary connections. A 230V/50Hz ac is stepped down to 12V/50Hz ac.tis is voltage is fed to a bridge rectifier an filter circuit.
• The output of filter circuit is fed to IC7812&IC7805  ,the output of 7805 inturn is connected to ARM controller module which works with +5v dc supply.
• The o/p from pc is given to the i/p of the MAX232,the power supply is given to the pin no 16(Vcc)  & pin no 15(GND),
• The o/p from the pc is applied to the i/p of the MAX 232 at the pin no 13(RIN)&14(TXOUT).The o/p from the MAX 232 is obtained at the  pin no’s 11(T1IN),12(R1OUT),10(T2IN),9(R2OUT).
• The o/p from the MAX232 is given as the  i/p to the ARM controller.
• The power supply to  ARM controller is given to the Vcc at the pin no’s (7,23,43,51) & GND at the pin no’s(6,25,42,50).The o/p from the MAX 232  has been given to the P0.0 –TXD0(pin no 19),P0.1-RXD0(pin no 21),P0.8-TXD1(pin no 33),P0.9-RXD1(pin no 34).The crystal oscillator is connected to the pin no 3 (RTCXTL1)&pin no 5 (RTCXTL2) to the ARM controller.
• The  o/p of the ARM controller is applied to LCD.
• The power supply is given to the pin no 2 to Vcc and 1 to GND,the o/p from the ARM  controller is  applied to i/p of the lcd pin no’s from 4 to 14 .Pin no 4 is connected to pin no 37  (P0.11-CTS1/CAP1.1/SCL1),pin no 5 is connected to pin no 38(P0.12-DSR1/MAT 1.0/AD 1.3) ,pin no 6 is connected to pin no 39(P0.13-DTR1/MAT 1.1/AD 1.4),pin no 7 is connected to  pin 16(P1.16-TRACEPKT0), pin no 8 is connected to  pin 12(P1.17-TRACEPKT1), pin no 9 is connected to  pin 8 (P1.18-TRACEPKT2), pin no 10 is connected to  pin 4(P1.19-TRACEPKT3), pin no 11 is connected to  pin 48(P1.20-TRACESYNC), pin no 12 is connected to  pin 44(P1.21-PIPESTAT0), pin no 13 is connected to  pin 40(P1.22-PIPESTAT1), pin no 14 is connected to  pin 36(P1.23-PIPESTAT2).
• Finally the o/p is display on the LCD screen.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN FOR A PV SYSTEM AND INVESTIGATION OF 3 PHASE THYRISTOR CONVERTER

To be able to understand and implement the construction of a PV system with control scheme using simulink in mat lab. To know how the different blocks that make up the PV system can be constructed separately and connected together to make a complete PV system.

To understand how simulink tool boxes can be used in implementing a dc to dc converter that is used to control a PV system shows a boost converter  model made up of an input Dc source, an inductor at the input to keep the current steady and reduce current ripples, a Mosfet switch, a capacitor at the output to keep the voltage steady and reduce voltage ripples and  a  resistive load .

above shows the PWM generator that has been created by a combination of various function blocks. The PWM is made up a of a pulse generator for input pulses of amplitude 2. In other to get desired amplitude of 1 and -1 for the pulse with to be generated, a constant block is added and together with pulse generator fed into the input of a subtractor. The output from the subtractor is amplified by a gain of 50e-6 and this is fed into an integrator to obtain a triangular waveform. The triangular waveform at the output of the integrator is compared to a constant duty ratio of 0.5. The results of the comparison is square wave which is positive when the triangular wave is less than the duty ratio an negative when the triangular wave is greater than the constant duty ratio.

Compressed Sampling for High Frequency Receivers Applications

In digital signal processing field, for recovering the signal without distortion, Shannon sampling theory must be fulfilled in the traditional signal sampling. However, in some practical applications, it is becoming an obstacle because of the dramatic increase of the costs due to increased volume of the storage and transmission as a function of frequency for sampling.

Therefore, how to reduce the number of the sampling in analog to digital conversion (ADC) for wide band and how to compress the large data effectively has been becoming major subject for study. Recently, a novel technique, so-called “compressed sampling”, abbreviated as CS, has been proposed to solve the problem. This method will capture and represent compressible signals at a sampling rate significantly lower than the Nyquist rate.

This paper not only surveys the theory of compressed sampling, but also simulates the CS with the software Matlab. The error between the recovered signal and original signal for simulation is around -200dB. The attempts were made to apply CS. The error between the recovered signal and original one for experiment is around -40 dB which means the CS is realized in a certain extent.

Implementation of MIMO-OFDM System for WiMAX

Error free transmission is one of the main aims in wireless communications. With the increase in multimedia applications, large amount of data is being transmitted over wireless communications. This requires error free transmission more than ever and to achieve error free transmission multiple antennas can be implemented on both stations i.e. base station and user terminal with proper modulation scheme and coding technique. The 4th generation of wireless communications can be attained by Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) in combination with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).

MIMO multiplexing (spatial multiplexing) and diversity (space time coding) having OFDM modulation scheme are the main areas of focus in our thesis study. MIMO multiplexing increases a network capacity by splitting a high signal rate into multiple lower rate streams. MIMO allows higher throughput, diversity gain and interference reduction. It also fulfills the requirement by offering high data rate through spatial multiplexing gain and improved link reliability due to antenna diversity gain.

Alamouti Space Time Block Code (STBC) scheme is used with orthogonal designs over multiple antennas which showed simulated results are identical to expected theoretical results. With this technique both Bit Error Rate (BER) and maximum diversity gain are achieved by increasing number of antennas on either side. This scheme is efficient in all the applications where system capacity is limited by multipath fading.

Robust Torque Control for Automated Gear Shifting in Heavy Duty Vehicles

In an automated manual transmission it is desired to have zero torque in the transmission when disengaging a gear. This minimizes the oscillations in the driveline which increases the comfort and makes the speed synchronization easier. The automated manual transmission system in a Scania truck, called Opticruise, uses engine torque control to achieve zero torque in the transmission.

In this thesis different control strategies for engine torque control are proposed in order to minimize the oscillations in the driveline and increase the comfort during a gear shift. A model of the driveline is developed in order to evaluate the control strategies. The main focus was to develop controllers that are easy to implement and that are robust enough to be used in different driveline configurations. This means that model dependent control strategies are not considered.

A control strategy with a combination of a feedback from the speed difference between the output shaft speed and the wheel speed, and a feed forward with a linear ramp, showed very good performance in both simulations and tests in trucks. The amplitude of the oscillations in the output shaft speed after neutral engagement are halved compared to the results from the existing method in Scania trucks. The new concept is also more robust against initial conditions and time delay estimations.

A DSP-Based Space Vector Modulation Direct Torque Control of IPM Synchronous Machines

The basic concept of DTC of AC motor drives is to control both stator flux linkage and the electromagnetic torque of the machine simultaneously. Since a DTC-based drive system select the inverter switching states using switching table, neither current controllers nor pulse-width modulation (PWM) modulator is required, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby introducing fast torque dynamics response in comparison with the field oriented vector control technique.

However, this conventional DTC approach has some disadvantages such as; high torque ripple and variable switching frequency, which is varying with speed, load torque and the selected hysteresis bands.

On the other hand to reduce the torque ripple; the hysteresis torque and flux controller bands must be reduced to match the required torque performance, which requires reduction of the system sampling time and it is necessary to use a very fast processing controller.

Although the system sampling frequency can be increased in the conventional DTC the inverter switching frequency is still low, approximately less than one third of the sampling frequency.

The inverter switching frequency can be increased using a dithering signal, by adding a limited amplitude high frequency signal to the torque and flux error signals. Although the switching frequency is increased it is still variable for small error bands

Fire Alarm with Siren Sound

It alerts us when there is a fire accident at home by ringing a siren sound. You might have seen fire alarms earlier but this is quite different as it generates a siren sound instead of a buzzer and also it uses basic components to generate that siren sound.

We are aware that there are many integrated circuits which can be used to generate the siren effect but we preferred to use basic electronics components like resistors, capacitors and transistors to generate it so that you will clearly understand the internal working of it and it will be much useful for you as you will gain more knowledge by analyzing it instead of simply going or pre designed integrated circuits.

When the temperature increases above the set value, the potentiometer arrangement produces a high voltage. This voltage is then given to BC547 transistor in common emitter mode. It is an NPN general purpose transistor. When the  base is given a high input, it gets turned on. When the transistor is turned on, its collector voltage is reduced to low as the collector to emitter voltage decreases. The collector output voltage of the first transistor is given to the base as an input to the second BC 547 NPN transistor. This transistor too is in common emitter mode and as the input is low when the temperature threshold is reached, the output at the collector will rise high. In this state, it will turn on the next transistor, i.e BC107. This transistor will now act as a switch for the siren circuit. This transistor can bear power quite larger than the BC547 and it is also equipped with a heat sink for that purpose.

When the BC107 transistor turns on, it  allows current to pass from power supply to ground through collector thereby acting as an electronically controlled switch. When the current is passing, the siren circuit which is assembled as the load to the circuit is turned ON. Then you can hear the siren sound through the buzzer. The capacitors used in the circuit are the main components in producing the siren effect. The principle involved in generating the siren effect is to make an oscillator with an envelope which periodically increases and decreases so as to generate that effect.

Unbiased Digital Dice with LEDs

With the configuration, the circuit operates as a clock with a frequency of 4.8 kilo hertz. This means that the circuit produces a clock cycle of about 0.000210 seconds which is imperceptible to the human eye. We cannot observe the values which change at that faster rate so there is hardly any possibility of getting the dice biased.

The clock pulses are given to a counter cum decoder circuit IC 4017 with the seventh output given to reset. It has nine possible outputs out of which, the seventh is given to reset because we only need a count upto 6 as a dice has six faces only. The first six outputs are given respectively to the LEDs so that the respective LED will glow for the corresponding count. If the count is 1, LED-1 will glow. If the count if 2, LED-2 will glow and so on until the sixth count. When the count is six, the sixth LED will glow and after that for the next clock pulse the counter will advance and the count increments to seven. In this count, the circuit resets itself as the seventh count is given to the reset pin which is PIN-15. Let me tell you that the power supply pin and ground are not shown in the schematic as it is the standard which the schematic generator which we use generates. However, the power source of 9V is given to the 16th pin of IC 4017 and the 8th pin of IC 4017 is given to ground.

This is how the circuit functions and you can increase the frequency of the circuit if you feel that you need more randomness so that it is very hard to perceive. This circuit can be implemented on a general purpose PCB with a 9V DC power supply.

Water Level Alarm Using 555 Timer

The circuit uses a 555 timer in a stable mode with R1=220 ohms, R2= 150 ohms and C1=1 uF. As we know, the frequency of operation of the IC 555 in a stable mode depends on the values of R1, R2 and C1. By calculating the frequency of the given a stable circuit, we get the frequency to be around 1.18KHz. The frequency at which it operates is in the audio frequency.

The 1K Resistor R3 whose ends are connected to pin-4 and ground disables the circuit by default and it enables when the water reaches its full level when the probes get dipped in water.

The two probes which are shown in the circuit should be kept at the high level for the water. The stable multi vibrator in the circuit is normally disabled and it gets enabled only when the probes touch the water. The distance between the probes should be less than a few centimeters to ensure that the conduction between the probes will take place when water is touched to these probes. When the water level rises to the height of the probes, then the 555 circuit will get enabled and the output of the 555 timer produces a square wave output with a frequency of about 1.18Khz. This output is given to the mini loudspeaker which then beeps at an audio frequency of 1.18KHz.

A Distributed Networked Approach to Fault Diagnosis of Large-Scale Systems

Here it  deals with a class of systems that are becoming ubiquitous in the current and future    "distributed world" made by countless "nodes",which can be cities, computers, people, etc., and interconnected by a dense web of transportation, communication, or social  ties.The     term "network", describing such a collection of nodes and  links, nowadays has become     commonplace thanks to our extensive reliance on "connections of interdependent     systems"   in our everyday life,for building complex technical  systems, infrastructures and  so on. 

In an     increasingly "smarter" planet, it  is expected that such interconnected systems will be safe,    reliable, available 24/7,and of low-cost maintenance.Therefore, health monitoring and fault     diagnosis are of customary importance to ensure high levels of safety, performance,    reliability, dependability, and availability. For example, in the case of industrial plants,faults     and malfunctions can result in off-specification  production,increased operating costs,     production line shutdown,danger conditions for humans, detrimental environmental impact,    and so on.Faults and malfunctions need to be detected promptly and their source and    severity should be diagnosed so that corrective actions can be taken as soon as possible. 

In  the talk, an adaptive approximation-based distributed and networked fault diagnosis   approach for large-scale nonlinear systems will be dealt  with, by exploiting a "divide et    impera" approach in which the overall diagnosis problem is  decomposed into smaller    sub-problems, which can be solved within “local” computation and communication    architectures.The distributed detection,  isolation and identification task  is broken  down    and  assigned  to a network of "Local Diagnostic Units", each having a "local view" of he    system.    These local diagnostic units are allowed to communicate with each other through an    information network  to cooperate on the diagnosis of system components that may be    shared or interconnected.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MICROCONTROLLER SYSTEM FOR A SENSOR NETWORK USED TO STUDY BEHAVIOR OF TACHYCINETA BICOLOR

Here it describes the development and implementation of a microcontroller system that is used in a sensor network that is used to study the behavior of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor).

The microcontroller system, traditionally referred to as a “webplug”, is used to measure temperature at nestboxes, control a Peltier device to simulate artificial climate change at the nestboxes, and provide access by HTTP to control and access webplug data. Attrition of original webplugs from past field seasons requires new webplugs to be made; many of the crucial components in the original webplug being obsolete required the design of a new webplug.

A new webplug was developed using a TS-7553 single board computer (SBC) from Technologic Systems. A separate printed circuit board (PCB) was designed and constructed to complement the SBC to provide functions not found on the SBC, including Peltier control and temperature measurement. The new webplug implements all current webplug functions, include measure nestbox temperature, control Peltier to simulate climate change, and host web server to provide HTTP access.

In addition to original webplug functions, the new webplug could also access RFID reader data used in the network to provide real time RFID data. A total of 15 new webplugs were constructed and will be deployed in the 2013 field season.

Monitoring of Actuation Conditions in a Micro-Turbo-Generator

The Monitoring of Actuation Conditions in a Micro-Turbo-Generator presents the theory and implementation
of an integrated sensing technique for the real-time measurement of applied actuation conditions in a micro-turbo-generator. 

The device is composed of a micro turbine rotor with magnetic components and a stator with planar coils for electromagnetic induction.While the rotor is actuated with pressurized nitrogen, the induced voltages are extracted to generate and deliver electrical power as well as to monitor the pneumatic actuation parameters. 

It is demonstrated that the rotor speed, applied gas low rate, and pressure show repeatable high linearity with respect to voltage frequency and amplitude in different devices. Sensitivity values of 83 Hz/krpm, 140 Hz/slm, and 1428 Hz/psi together with R2 values larger than 0.97 are achieved. The integrated sensing technique presented in this paper will eliminate the need for external sensing components in continuous device screening, and  lead to closed-loop control for autonomous tuning of desired operating conditions in rotary micro generators.

Smart Trailing Socket

Trailing Socket (also called Extension or Distribution Socket)have two, three or more sockets (depending on the box dimensions and on constructor's needs) will be powered only when a current flows in the Control Socket.For example: if an electric drill is connected to the Control Socket, the Switched Sockets will be powered each time the electric drill is running. In this case, a lamp could be connected to a Switched Socket and will illuminate when the drill is operating.

Another example: a desk lamp could be connected to the Control Socket and a PC, a Monitor and a Printer could be connected to the Switched Sockets and will be running after the lamp is switched on. Switching off the lamp, all the above mentioned appliances will be automatically switched off.

A further application is the control of a High Fidelity chain, plugging the Power Amplifier in the Control Socket and - for example - CD Player, Tape Recorder, and Tuner in the Switched Sockets. Usually, trailing sockets are placed to the rear of the appliances, often in places not easily reachable, so, even if the socket has a switch, it is much easier to switch on and off the High Fidelity chain from the main amplifier itself.The same consideration is valid for computer-monitor-printer chains etc. Nevertheless, in this case, the use of a table lamp plugged in the Control Socket is almost mandatory, as explained below.

In fact, this very sensitive circuit works fine when appliances having full breaking switches like lamps, drills, most power amplifiers, old radios, old TV sets, fans, almost all electrical household appliances etc. are plugged in the Control Socket. This is because these devices have a switch that fully excludes the internal circuitry from the mains.Unfortunately, in modern devices like computers, monitors, CD players, recent radios and TV sets (usually powered by means of internal "switching" supplies), the power switch does not completely isolate the internal circuitry from the mains, as transient suppressors and other components remain on circuit. This causes a very small current to flow across the sensing circuitry, but sufficient to trigger the output Triac.

Therefore, the switched devices will remain always on, no matter if the control appliance is on or off. This could also happen when devices connected to the mains by means of plug-in power supply adapters are used as control appliances, due to their lack of a mains switch.In spite of this restriction, the circuit can be still useful, due to the high number and variety of devices allowing impeccable performance when they are plugged in the Control Socket.