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International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 28-31, 1985 / Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada / Military aerospace test ranges are increasingly being called upon to conduct missions utilizing large numbers of participating units, or targets. Precision, position and trajectory data must be recorded on all participants. In addition, weapon/target engagements must be scored and real-time range safety considerations must be accommodated. This requires precision metric data be available in real-time on all participating targets. One solution to these problems, is utilization of multiple target tracking radars which incorporate electronic beam steering to quickly move from one target to another in sequence. This paper briefly recounts the history of range instrumentation radars, points out some of the advantages of using multi-target radars, and highlights the specifications and design of a multiple target instrumentation radar now being acquired by the U.S. Army for use at White Sands Missile Range and the Kwajalein Missile Range.

Reliability of a piston rod position measurement system is key when applied to large hydraulic cylinders. This and other requirements lead to the development of the CIMS (Cylinder Integrated Measurement System), a contactless and highly accurate system that uses the Hall effect to detect an encoded piston rod. To eliminate deviations caused by mechanical tolerances, temperature and air gap variations etc., the raw signals are filtered and compensated. Its functionality has been extended by making statistical data available, based on the values measured. These include the number of strokes, cumulative stroke length, stroke length distribution, maximum velocity and acceleration, temperature classification and extreme temperatures. Assessment of these data enables the user to optimize his application. Comparison to historic data can give input to the preventive maintenance plan to reduce (unforeseeable) system downtime and to increase the system reliability. This development resulted into the CIMSmart. It is a significant step towards cylinder intelligence.

The thesis implements a vision-based leader-follower tracking algorithm on a ground robot system. One camera is the only sensor installed the leader-follower system and is mounted on the follower. One sphere is the only feature installed on the leader. The camera identifies the sphere in the openCV Library and calculates the relative position between the follower and leader using the area and position of the sphere in the camera frame. A P controller for the follower and a P controller for the camera heading are built. The vision-based leader-follower tracking algorithm is verified according to the simulation and implementation.

Localization is a classic and complex problem in the field of mobile robotics. It becomes particularly challenging in an aqueous environment because currents within the water can move the robot. A novel localization module and corresponding localization algorithm for experimental autonomous underwater vehicles is presented. Unlike other available positioning systems which require fixed hardware beacons, this custom built module relies only on information available from sensors on-board the vehicle and knowledge of its bounded domain. This allows the user to save valuable time which would otherwise be devoted to the setup and calibration of a beacon or sensor network. The module uses three orthogonal ultrasonic transducers to measure distances to the tank boundaries. Using the measured tri-axial orientation of the vehicle, the algorithm analytically determines the robot's position within the domain in absolute coordinates. Certain vehicle states do not allow the position to be completely resolved by the algorithm alone. In this case, state estimation is used to estimate the robot position until its state is no longer indeterminate. The modular design of this system makes it ideal for application on underwater vehicles which operate in a bounded environment for research purposes. An experimental version of the module was constructed and tested in the WPI swimming pool and showed successful localization under normal conditions.

A Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP, Brasil) e o Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC, Brasil) estão desenvolvendo conjuntamente um Dispositivo de Assistência Ventricular (DAV) baseado numa bomba de vazão mista e utilizando mancais magnéticos que objetivem substituir os mancais convencionais, pois o uso de mancal magnético neste dispositivo minimiza a hemólise e melhora o tempo de vida do DAV, isso em razão da ausência e contato de um mancal com a crase sanguínea o que, por fim, aumenta a vida útil do dispositivo. O mancal magnético utilizado para o DAV será o mancal do tipo híbrido. Este tipo de mancal combina ímãs permanentes com eletroímãs para realizar a levitação do rotor com controle apenas na direção axial do rotor. Na configuração original desse mancal magnético, um sensor indutivo detecta a posição axial do rotor. Esta posição é enviada a um controlador do tipo PID e processada, amplificada e enviada aos atuadores eletromagnéticos. A corrente enviada aos eletroímãs é controlada de maneira a manter o rotor sempre em uma posição axial fixa. No entanto, essa configuração exige o uso de um atuador eletromagnético contendo um furo para a instalação do sensor indutivo, impondo limitações no desempenho do atuador. Além disso, o sensor indutivo limita a miniaturização do mancal. Assim, para minimizar as limitações impostas pelo uso do sensor indutivo, este trabalho faz, primeiramente, um levantamento das diversas técnicas conhecidas para a medição da posição do rotor em mancais magnéticos. Como resultado, este trabalho identifica o uso do sensor Hall como a alternativa mais promissora. Este sensor responde à magnitude de um campo magnético que nele é aplicado. Fixando-se um ímã permanente ao rotor, obtém-se uma saída no sensor Hall proporcional ao deslocamento do rotor. Contudo, a leitura do sensor Hall é afetada ainda pelo campo magnético gerado pelos atuadores eletromagnéticos, o que é indesejável. Buscando minimizar essa influência, este trabalho apresenta algumas estratégias para eliminar, da saída do sensor Hall, a influência do campo gerado pelo atuador eletromagnético. Os métodos são testados através de experimentos de levitação em mancal magnético e a eficácia dos mesmos comprovada. / The Escola Politécnica of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP, Brazil) and the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (IDPC, Brazil) are jointly developing a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) based on a mixed flow pump with magnetic bearings. The VAD rotor has a conical shape with spiral impellers that impels and pressurizes the blood. The magnetic bearing eliminates mechanical contact between the pump rotor and the VAD body, minimizing hemolysis and improving the lifetime of the VAD. The magnetic bearing studied is the hybrid type that combines permanent magnets with electromagnets to execute active control in the axial direction of the rotor. In the original configuration, the bearing uses inductive sensor to detect the axial position of the rotor. The sensor readings are sent to a PID type controller, processed, amplified and sent to the electromagnets. The current supplied to the electromagnets are controlled in a manner to keep the rotor in a fixed axial position. However, this configuration requires the use of a hollowed core in the electromagnetic actuator, imposing limitations in its efficiency. Moreover, the use of an inductive sensor imposes limitations to pump downsizing. In order to minimize the limitations, this work conducts firstly a study about alternative techniques for measuring the rotor position in a magnetic bearing. As result, the Hall sensor is identified as the most promising alternative. The Hall sensor is a small semiconductor element available in the market that gives an electric signal with amplitude corresponding to the magnet field intensity applied to it. By fixing a permanent magnet to the rotor, the Hall sensor gives a signal according to the rotor displacement. However, the Hall sensor output is also affected by the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic actuator of the bearing. This is not desirable for controlling the bearing. In order to minimize the mentioned influence, this work presents some methods to eliminate the influence of the actuator from the Hall sensor readings. The methods are tests in a magnetic bearing and the efficiency of these methods is demonstrated.

A Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (EPUSP, Brasil) e o Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia (IDPC, Brasil) estão desenvolvendo conjuntamente um Dispositivo de Assistência Ventricular (DAV) baseado numa bomba de vazão mista e utilizando mancais magnéticos que objetivem substituir os mancais convencionais, pois o uso de mancal magnético neste dispositivo minimiza a hemólise e melhora o tempo de vida do DAV, isso em razão da ausência e contato de um mancal com a crase sanguínea o que, por fim, aumenta a vida útil do dispositivo. O mancal magnético utilizado para o DAV será o mancal do tipo híbrido. Este tipo de mancal combina ímãs permanentes com eletroímãs para realizar a levitação do rotor com controle apenas na direção axial do rotor. Na configuração original desse mancal magnético, um sensor indutivo detecta a posição axial do rotor. Esta posição é enviada a um controlador do tipo PID e processada, amplificada e enviada aos atuadores eletromagnéticos. A corrente enviada aos eletroímãs é controlada de maneira a manter o rotor sempre em uma posição axial fixa. No entanto, essa configuração exige o uso de um atuador eletromagnético contendo um furo para a instalação do sensor indutivo, impondo limitações no desempenho do atuador. Além disso, o sensor indutivo limita a miniaturização do mancal. Assim, para minimizar as limitações impostas pelo uso do sensor indutivo, este trabalho faz, primeiramente, um levantamento das diversas técnicas conhecidas para a medição da posição do rotor em mancais magnéticos. Como resultado, este trabalho identifica o uso do sensor Hall como a alternativa mais promissora. Este sensor responde à magnitude de um campo magnético que nele é aplicado. Fixando-se um ímã permanente ao rotor, obtém-se uma saída no sensor Hall proporcional ao deslocamento do rotor. Contudo, a leitura do sensor Hall é afetada ainda pelo campo magnético gerado pelos atuadores eletromagnéticos, o que é indesejável. Buscando minimizar essa influência, este trabalho apresenta algumas estratégias para eliminar, da saída do sensor Hall, a influência do campo gerado pelo atuador eletromagnético. Os métodos são testados através de experimentos de levitação em mancal magnético e a eficácia dos mesmos comprovada. / The Escola Politécnica of the University of São Paulo (EPUSP, Brazil) and the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (IDPC, Brazil) are jointly developing a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) based on a mixed flow pump with magnetic bearings. The VAD rotor has a conical shape with spiral impellers that impels and pressurizes the blood. The magnetic bearing eliminates mechanical contact between the pump rotor and the VAD body, minimizing hemolysis and improving the lifetime of the VAD. The magnetic bearing studied is the hybrid type that combines permanent magnets with electromagnets to execute active control in the axial direction of the rotor. In the original configuration, the bearing uses inductive sensor to detect the axial position of the rotor. The sensor readings are sent to a PID type controller, processed, amplified and sent to the electromagnets. The current supplied to the electromagnets are controlled in a manner to keep the rotor in a fixed axial position. However, this configuration requires the use of a hollowed core in the electromagnetic actuator, imposing limitations in its efficiency. Moreover, the use of an inductive sensor imposes limitations to pump downsizing. In order to minimize the limitations, this work conducts firstly a study about alternative techniques for measuring the rotor position in a magnetic bearing. As result, the Hall sensor is identified as the most promising alternative. The Hall sensor is a small semiconductor element available in the market that gives an electric signal with amplitude corresponding to the magnet field intensity applied to it. By fixing a permanent magnet to the rotor, the Hall sensor gives a signal according to the rotor displacement. However, the Hall sensor output is also affected by the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic actuator of the bearing. This is not desirable for controlling the bearing. In order to minimize the mentioned influence, this work presents some methods to eliminate the influence of the actuator from the Hall sensor readings. The methods are tests in a magnetic bearing and the efficiency of these methods is demonstrated.

Reliability of a piston rod position measurement system is key when applied to large hydraulic cylinders. This and other requirements lead to the development of the CIMS (Cylinder Integrated Measurement System), a contactless and highly accurate system that uses the Hall effect to detect an encoded piston rod. To eliminate deviations caused by mechanical tolerances, temperature and air gap variations etc., the raw signals are filtered and compensated. Its functionality has been extended by making statistical data available, based on the values measured. These include the number of strokes, cumulative stroke length, stroke length distribution, maximum velocity and acceleration, temperature classification and extreme temperatures. Assessment of these data enables the user to optimize his application. Comparison to historic data can give input to the preventive maintenance plan to reduce (unforeseeable) system downtime and to increase the system reliability. This development resulted into the CIMSmart. It is a significant step towards cylinder intelligence.

Precision control of translational motion is vital for many CNC machine tools as the motion of the machinery affects the dimensional tolerance of the manufactured goods. However, the direct measurement along with the accurate motion control of machine usually requires relatively expensive sensors i.e. potentiometers, linear scales, laser interferometers. Hence, this study attempts to develop reference models utilizing low-cost sensors (i.e. rotary encoders) for accurate position estimation. First, an indirect measurement performance is investigated on a Timing Belt driven carriage by a DC Motor with a backlash included Gearbox head. An advanced interpolated technique is proposed to compensate the position errors while using indirect measurement to reduce the total cost. Then, a similar study was realized with a ball screw driven system. Next, a cable drum driven measurement technique is proposed to the machines which have long travel distance like plasma cutters. A test setup is proposed and manufactured to investigate the capstan drive systems. Finally, characteristics of Optical Mouse Sensors are investigated from different point of views and a test setup is proposed and manufactured to evaluate their performances in long terms. Beside all of these parts, motion control algorithms and motion control integrated circuits are designed and manufactured to realize experimental studies in a detailed manner.

Cross-eye jamming is an Electronic Attack (EA) technique that induces an angular error in the radar being jammed. The main benefit of cross-eye jamming is that it is effective against monopulse tracking radars, which are largely immune to other forms of jamming. The objective of this research is to gain a complete understanding of cross-eye jamming so that systems that might be developed in future can be properly specied. The main contribution of this work is a comprehensive mathematical and experimental study of retrodirective cross-eye jamming. The mathematical analysis considers all aspects of an isolated, single-loop, retrodirective cross-eye jamming engagement, thereby avoiding the approximations inherent in other cross-eye jamming analyses. Laboratory experiments that accurately represent reality by using the radar for both transmission and reception, and simulating a true retrodirective cross-eye jammer were performed to validate the theoretical analysis. Lastly, the relationship between the angular error induced in the radar being jammed and the matching required from a cross-eye jammer system is explored. The most important conclusion of this work is that the traditional analyses of cross- eye jamming are inaccurate for the conditions under which cross-eye jammers operate. These inaccuracies mean that the traditional analyses are overly conservative, particularly at short ranges and for high cross-eye gains, suggesting that practical cross-eye jammers can be realised more easily than is generally believed. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted