Wireless sensor networks have applications in many different fields and environments, each with their own set of challenges to be overcome. If we can measure and compensate for the properties of the wireless environment at an early stage of the deployment, we will be able to have the sensor network operational in a smaller time frame. This report describes the development of an emulator for wireless sensor network of up to eight 802.15.4 complaint sensor nodes. The FPGA-based emulator has been enhanced with several new features to remove some shortcomings of the existing emulator. The emulator now provides the ability to import previously recorded data representing time varying gains of wireless links, the ability to store the signal data generated by the sensor node for later review, as well as a more intuitive user interface to make the emulator more useful as a research tool. A latency issue that previously prevented the use of any communications protocol depending of transmission acknowledgments has been studied and a solution to the issue is presented. A way of introducing external interference to the emulated system has also been investigated and provides a straightforward way of introducing interference to the system without modifying the existing hardware and software. Most added features have been designed to be easily modified or expanded upon.

Stuttgart, Univ., Studienarb., 2003.

No description available.

The goal of this work was to design and evaluate a hydraulic Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation system based around electric and hydraulic motors. The idea behind HIL simulation is to install real hardware within a physically emulated environment, so that genuine performance can be assessed without the expense of final assembly testing. In this case, coupled electric and hydraulic motors were used to create the physical environment emulation by imparting flows and pressures on test hardware. Typically, servo-valves are used for this type of hydraulic emulation, and one of the main purposes of this work was to compare the effectiveness of using motors instead of the somewhat standard servo-valve. Towards this end, a case study involving a Sauer Danfoss proportional valve and emulation of a John Deere backhoe cylinder was undertaken. The design of speed and pressure controllers used in this emulation is presented, and results are compared to data from a real John Deere backhoe and proportional valve. While motors have a substantially lower bandwidth than servo-valves due to their inertia, they have the ability to control pressure at zero and near-zero flows, which is fundamentally impossible for valves. The limitations and unique capabilities of motors are discussed with respect to characteristics of real hydraulic systems.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diplomarb., 2002.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diplomarb., 2002.

Stuttgart, Univ., Studienarb., 2004.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diplomarb., 2003.

Stuttgart, Univ., Diplomarbeit, 2006.

Zugl.: Freiburg (Breisgau), Univ., Diss., 2008