Pasquale Arpaia

Performance analysis of an ADC histogram test using small triangular waves

The histogram method using small-amplitude triangular waves for the quasi-static test of analog-to-digital converters has been proposed for standardization aims. In this paper, after a brief description of the test procedure, analytical closed-form relations for designing the test, as well as for its characterization in terms of efficiency and uncertainty, are provided. Numerical and experimental results of a comparative analysis with the IEEE 1057-standard static test highlight its better performance in terms of efficiency and accuracy.

A new bidimensional histogram for the dynamic characterization of ADCs

A bidimensional histogram based on a dual-tone signal is proposed for testing analog-to-digital converters in the phase plane (output code, input signal slope). The bidimensional histogram of the actual code occurrences in the phase plane is compared with the ideal dual-tone probability distribution function in order to derive the actual transfer characteristic. With respect to the phase plane test via several single-tone acquisitions at different frequencies, the proposed histogram allows the phase plane coverage to be increased with the same sample number, the experimental burden to be reduced, and the metrological constraints of calibrators to be relaxed. Simulation and experimental results of characterization and validation highlight the effectiveness and the practical applicability in standardization of the proposed method.

A Model-Driven Domain-Specific Scripting Language for Measurement-System Frameworks

A measurement-domain-specific language, which is based on a model-driven paradigm for measurement-test-procedure definition, instrument configurations, and task synchronization, is proposed. This formal language, which is particular for a specific measurement field, aims at specifying complete, easy-to-understand, easy-to-reuse, and easy-to-maintain applications efficiently and quickly by means of a script. The script is checked and integrated into the existing software framework automatically by a specific parser-builder chain, in order to produce the measurement application. Constructs for abstracting key concepts of the domain allow the test engineer to write more concise and higher level programs by natural language-like sentences in a shorter time without being a skilled programmer. As an experimental case study, the proposed language has been applied to the flexible framework for magnetic measurements at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

A software framework for flexible magnetic measurements at CERN

At the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), a flexible framework for magnetic measurements (FFMM) has been proposed for managing different batch magnetic tests. Such a system is aimed at creating a test platform, integrating new hardware and software, for satisfying a wide range of measurement requirements, variable and evolving during the time. In this paper, first the conceptual project of the framework and its multi-layer architecture are presented. Then, the preliminary implementation of the lowest layers is described.

Multipole correction of stretched-wire measurements of field-gradients in quadrupole accelerator magnets

A correction of field gradients in quadrupole accelerator magnets measured by stretched-wire methods is described. The gradient is first measured by means of the single-stretched-wire method. By using the same experimental setup, the relative multipole-field errors of the quadrupole are then measured by means of the oscillating-wire technique and used for the correction scheme. Results of the experimental validation are presented for a prototype quadrupole for the CLIC accelerator study at CERN.

Automatic Fault Isolation by Cultural Algorithms With Differential Influence

An evolutionary algorithm with a cultural mechanism of evolution influence for effectiveness and efficiency higher than classical genetic algorithms is proposed for industrial fault isolation. Moreover, the evolution influence is based on a differential concept in order to move toward better zones of the solution space by sensing the fitness gradient. The proposed cultural algorithm is designed in order to be portable and easily configurable in different diagnostic applications. On-field results of an industrial application to motor-vehicle fleet remote monitoring and automatic fault isolation of vehicle wear, operating danger, and fraud in a company that transports dangerous goods are shown.

Dual tone analysis for phase-plane coverage in ADC metrological characterization

An analytical description of the phase plane behavior of an amplitude-balanced dual-tone signal for nonlinear analog-to-digital converters testing is presented. A new figure of merit for the phase plane coverage quality of the dual-tone test signal is proposed and evaluated, and finally, conditions for optimal input frequency selection are analytically derived for practical calibration applications.

Surface-Response-Based Modeling of Digitizers: A Case Study on a Fast Digital Integrator at CERN

A statistical approach to simulation in behavioral modeling for assessing dynamic metrological performance during the concept design of accurate digitizers is proposed. A surface-response approach based on a statistical experimental design allows operating conditions to be systematically and comprehensively explored, simulation to be optimized, and identification and validation uncertainty to be verified. An actual case study on the dynamic metrological characterization of a fast digital integrator for high-performance magnetic measurements at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is presented.

A chloroform transducer based on sPS-/spl delta/-coated quartz-crystal microbalance for gaseous environment

A prototype of a quartz-crystal microbalance-based transducer is proposed for in-situ measurements of very low chloroform activity in a gaseous environment. The sensing element consists of an innovative semicrystalline form of syndiotactic polystyrene sprayed as a thin film on the piezoelectric quartz electrode of the microbalance. Chloroform sorption and desorption in the film give rise to a mass variation, implying a related shift in the resonance frequency of the quartz. Results of static and dynamic metrological characterization of the transducer prototype at varying chloroform concentration and temperature in a gaseous environment are reported. Satisfactory sensitivity, repeatability, and dynamic hysteresis are highlighted.

A measurement system for fast-pulsed magnets: a case study on Linac4 at CERN

A new magnetic measurement system for validating and characterizing permanent and fast-pulsed iron-dominated magnets is presented. This system is going to be used on the magnet series tests of the new linear particle accelerator Linac 4 of the Large Handron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to perform a complete field analysis of the entire acceleration line. Measurement results will be useful to tune better the beam brightness during the first acceleration step. In this paper, the requirements, the architecture, and the most critical parts of the design are highlighted. Then, the preliminary experimental results obtained over the first Linac 4 magnet prototypes are discussed.