Felix Adochiei

Experimental validation of a low-cost integrated INS/GPS navigator for assistive positioning

The paper exposes the experimental validation of a synergic INS/GPS navigator with direct application in the assistive positioning of the old people. The data fusion algorithm used in the integration procedure of the two navigators is based on a Kalman filter. For the experimental testing, the detection platform was boarded on a land vehicle and the data were radio transmitted to a base station which run the software implementing the data fusion algorithm. Simultaneously with the integration of the INS and GPS systems, the developed positioning system monitors the vehicle position through its real time visualization on a map.

Use of pedagogical agents to build multiple choice equations for an electric workshop based on LabVIEW

e-Learning, with its various aspects, represents a major trend in education. This paper presents a solution to extend the traditional multiple choice tests to effectively graphic design of calculus equations for an electric workshop. Equation built procedure was augmented using animated pedagogical agents to increase the effectiveness of learning and practical skills and improve the attractive aspect of the process. The implemented algorithms and software were tested on two groups of bachelor degree students from Electrical Engineering Faculty, proving useful results and ways to develop further works.

Platform for bio-monitoring of vital parameters in critical infrastructures operation

The objective of the present scientific research was to develop a bio-monitoring platform for the supervision of personnel working in the critical infrastructure tested in a laboratory based on virtual reality simulations. The role of this platform is to collect a set of signals in order to determine the optimal physiological profile of personnel during testing in virtual reality simulations (for real situations). From biomedical perspective, in developing this platform there are several main directions of interest including: the development of software solutions for biosignal processing derived from the multiple biosensors, the analysis of hardware and software solutions for bio-information acquisitions and the identification of the most efficient solutions. Also, it has followed the development of software and hardware solutions for seamless integration of all monitoring equipment in order to develop a complex integrated system. This platform will help in developing new training and health evaluation criteria very useful for correct conclusions about predictive character regarding the responses of the personnel in the real professional situations.

Assistive inertial 3D positioning MEMS system

This paper describes the implementation and experimental validation of a new 3D miniaturized inertial navigator developed for human indoor and outdoor monitoring applications. Accuracy is a major concern, especially during GPS outages and indoor applications. In order to increase the inertial navigation system (INS) standalone operation period with acceptable accuracy during the GPS absence, signals received from sensors are filtered for reducing positioning errors. For validation, data achieved from the proposed navigator was compared with data achieved from a GPS/INS integrated navigator, both devices being used as remote systems. Unlike in our previous research, the case of the bi-dimensional model, when we managed to develop an optimizing tuning method for achieving the optimum level of decomposition of the Wavelet filter for data achieved from two channels, the attitude channel and the position channel, but not simultaneously, we are currently extending our research aiming to tune simultaneously data achieved from six detection channels, three accelerometers and three gyros.

A remote-controlled mobile platform for identifying indoor human in risk situations

In the last three decades many research teams have been doing advanced researches to develop accurate positioning and telemonitoring technologies. We developed an experimental model, a very light and ergonomic mobile platform, to identify cases with high human risk factor inside buildings. For positioning we designed an advanced INS/ GPS integrated indoor navigation system miniaturized inertial tridimensional measurement unit. This platform will be equipped with sensors to detect smoke, fire, toxic gases in the atmosphere and allows building area mapping using both video and audio recordings and will allow identifying indoor human in risk situations.

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the retention force for metallic matrix attachment systems

Oral implants and attachment systems represent an easy solution for preventing vertical displacement of removable dentures. Retention force is the most important operational parameter for an attachment system. Starting from the design phase its possible to test different designs and evaluate mechanical retention with relatively low costs using numerical simulation. In this study, a methodology was proposed for evaluation of retention force using numerical simulation. In order to validate the methodology, simulated results were compared with experimental reference data obtained in the same conditions. The magnitude of the retention force for the spherical blunt - metallic matrix attachment system produced by Straumann was determined using a specially designed experimental setup. Qualitative and quantitative analysis demonstrated that numerical model is stable and predicts correctly the retention force. Uncertainties led to acceptable deviations from experimental values.