Nitaigour P. Mahalik

Autonomous Greenhouse Mobile Robot Driving Strategies From System Integration Perspective: Review and Application

Agricultural operations are constantly becoming technology-driven mainly due to labor shortages, increase in labor cost, and trends in new and advanced technology applications. In this paper, we have presented a system-of-systems approach to design and development of a mobile robotic platform for agricultural applications. Similar to other field robots, the mobile platform for agricultural applications requires a different set of predefined attributes for its operation. We have designed, fabricated, and demonstrated the mobile platform for pesticide spraying application. The design and development includes synergistic integration of mechanical, sensor and actuator, navigational and control, and electronic and software interfacings. The autonomous navigation aspect of the development was achieved via three stages: learning stage, implementation stage (training stage), and testing stage. In the learning stage, we defined the path patterns and studied and recorded the behavior of the vehicle in real-world environment. In the training stage, various steering algorithms for four-wheel driving system were developed and inherent errors were compensated using advanced tools and methods. In the testing stage, we put the robotic platform on an arbitrary path pattern and demonstrated its success in autonomous navigation. The medium-sized mobile robot can be commercialized for greenhouse-based agricultural operations.

QoS provisioning in the EPON systems with traffic-class burst-polling based delta DBA

As an alternative solution to provide the quality of services (QoS) for broadband access over Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON), we present the usage of MAC control message for plural class queues and a traffic-class burst-polling based delta dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA), referred to as TCBP-DDBA, scheme. For better QoS support, the TCBP-DDBA minimizes packet delays and delay variations for expedited forwarding packet and maximizes throughput for assured forwarding and best effort packets. The network resources are efficiently utilized and adaptively allocated to the three traffic classes for the given unbalanced traffic conditions by guaranteeing the requested QoS. Simulation results using OPNET show that the TCBP-DDBA scheme performs well in comparison to the conventional unit-based allocation scheme over the measurement parameters such as: packet delay, packet delay variation, and channel utilization.

Retrofitting High-Tech Systems in Land-based Aquaculture to Improve Production Efficiency: An Automated Expert System Architecture

ABSTRACT This paper presents work on retrofitting of high-tech systems (HTS) in land-based aquaculture system for improving production efficiency. The objective is to develop architecture for an automated system for aquaculture farming. We call this development an automated expert system architecture (AESA). The article has been organized into four parts. First, it reviews the background and business opportunity on aquaculture, which includes fish and seaweed farming. We have proposed a six-layer model for the development of a fully contained total automation system along with approaches and methods. The developed software platform was tested with a laboratory based demonstration rig.

The Role of Information Technology Developments in Food Supply Chain Integration and Monitoring

The application of information technology (IT) is no longer limited to transportation or the weather. It plays a significant role in other sectors including the food supply chain. The successful employment of IT in the food supply chain can greatly improve product safety and quality. The application of IT in the food sector is mostly seen developed countries, although the developing countries are adopting the principles and methods at a slower pace. This chapter focuses on the role of IT developments in the food supply chain integration and monitoring. This chapter has been divided into five sections. We have reviewed components of IT followed by supply chain management, traceability, food processing and packaging, and the application of nanotechnology in food processing and packaging.

Some Studies on FDI in Actuating Systems

The objective of this research is to study a model-based scheme for Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) in mechatronic systems. Mechatronic systems are a class of interdisciplinary engineering systems which entails greater reliability. A model-based feature estimation FDI approach is developed. A proprietary electric motor based valve actuator, used in pressure regulation applications was integrated and the developed FDI algorithm was tested. In order to develop FDI algorithms, appropriate methodology and supporting tools such as ANN, Fuzzy Logic, MATLAB, embedded technology (DSP boards), PC platforms, and programming tools are used.

Automation of Hot Strip Mill by Manufacturing Execution System, Case Study

In this paper the integration of MES with Hot Strip Mill, basing on the layer concept IT landscape for automation in RSP(Rourkela Steel Plant) is discussed. Dressing of order, Preparation of product schedule, manufacturing operation, Logging of process data for metallurgical tracking, inspection and testing, dispatch management and performance analysis are discussed. A one dimensional slab temperature distribution online model is proposed which will optimize the set point function against the variation of rolling speed.

Prognostic Algorithm for Sensors and Actuators Using Multiresolution Signal Decomposition Technique

Model-based Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) in sensors and actuators are found in the literature since two decades. This research focuses on multi-resolution signal decomposition (MRSD) method which is an extension of the Short-Time Fourier Transform, a spectral analysis methods for FDI. The simulation study suggests that the developed MRSD algorithms can be effectively used for the design of smart sensors and actuators.