Vujo Drndarevic

Distributed measurement and control system based on microcontrollers with automatic program generation

The paper describes an open architecture microcontroller based distributed measurement and control system with automatic generation of application program. Interpretation of functions and generation of program for control of the newly added distributed unit or distributed unit of a new type connected to the system performs automatically, without user assistance. The elements of the system are interconnected by means of a serial common bus according to the reduced OSI protocol. The proposed concept was tested in a system developed by using 8-bit Atmel microcontrollers of 89S and 89C series. Apart from the central unit, intelligent distributed units were developed for the control of a stepper motor, programmable linear movement, control of halogen lamps, acquisition and generation of analogue, digital and timing pulses and a real time clock (RTC).

Gamma Radiation Monitoring with Internet‐Based Sensor Network

Abstract In this paper, a novel system for distributed measurement of gamma radiation has been described. The system is composed of multiple intelligent sensor nodes connected through Ethernet to a client PC that executes application software. The software is capable of presenting, processing, and storing values of ambient dose equivalent rate, as well as of configuring sensor nodes, and displaying their positions. Main contributions of the paper are in the integration of a gamma probe into a smart sensor and in the design of the probe that is not only power efficient and cost effective, but also has all the measurement characteristics needed for an area monitor. A high voltage power supply is carefully designed so that the gamma probe consumes only 200 µA at low counting rate. A number of calibrations and measurements with the gamma probes are performed and the whole system is successfully implemented and tested.

Development of smart transducers compliant with the IEEE 1451.4 standard

A new IEEE 1451.4 standard for a smart transducer interface defines the concept for adding self-identification technology to traditional analog sensors and actuators. While the numerous manufacturers offers 1451.4 sensors, which are often called TEDS sensors, tools for the development of these sensors are not yet widely available. In this paper the procedure for development of smart sensor fully compliant with the IEEE 1451.4 standard is described. Mixed-mode interface with auto detection of One-wire memory device has been developed by the use of 8-bit microcontroller. For assembling and parsing of IEEE 1451.4 TEDS a PC based TEDS Editor is developed. To illustrate the functionality and efficiency of developed tools an example of 1451.4 Class 2 bridge sensor is implemented. Details of sensor implementation and test results will be presented.

Plug and Play Geiger-Muller Detector for Environmental Monitoring

A novel Plug and Play Geiger-Muller detector for environmental monitoring is reported that allows the integration and automatic configuration of Geiger-Muller detectors in a network containing heterogeneous sensors. A new Transducer Electronic Data Sheet for Geiger-Muller detector complying with the IEEE 1451.4 standard has been implemented to interface radiation detectors according to Plug and Play. The electronic specifications for Geiger-Muller detectors developed in this article are based on the newly proposed transducer template and modification of the standard calibration table template. Proposed templates may also be used for other types of radiation detectors with pulse output. To illustrate the Plug and Play capability with Geiger-Muller detectors, the details of detector implementation are included.

Processing Architecture for High Count Rate Spectrometry with NaI(Tl) Detector

In this paper, implementation of the high count rate gamma-ray spectrometric system with Nal(Tl) detector is presented. The system supports count rates up to 4.2-10 pulses/s. The main focus of the paper is on implementation of algorithms for detection and correction of a pileup effect that is common at high count rates. The system is implemented on an FPGA platform and it is tested and verified using 228Th in presence of 137Cs. Experimental results show that the system is capable of reducing pileup effects and improving resolution of the energy spectrum.

Control of Gamma Irradiation Facility with Improved Safety System

Modern industrial control systems are based on computer technology and robotics with real-time information processing, multiuser databases, and communication networks. Due to the latest advances in information technology, some irradiator operations are already gaining significant benefits. However, in the case of safety critical systems such as irradiation plant, the requirements concerning the high degree of safety and reliability are priority, apart from these for better process control and cost savings. This paper presents the architecture and design of a new highly flexible control system with an improved safety system. The proposed control system has been designed, installed as an upgrade to an existing irradiation facility and successfully validated. The system controls the entire irradiation process from loading of products to the production of post-treatment reports. In addition to completely automated control, remote monitoring of the facility operation, including video surveillance, is provided via the Internet and GSM network.

Smart sensors for environmental radiation monitoring networks

This paper presents the design and implementation of smart radiation sensors that allow automatic integration and configuration in environmental monitoring networks containing heterogeneous sensors. The design of two most frequently used ionizing radiation detectors Geiger-Muller (GM) detector and ionization chamber are discussed. Smart radiation sensors are designed in compliance with IEEE 1451.4 standard, which enables automatic sensor identification and configuration based on transducer electronic data sheets (TEDS). Since IEEE 1451.4 standard does not specify TEDS templates for radiation sensors, new TEDS templates suitable for GM detectors and ionization chambers are proposed. Smart sensors are connected into the monitoring network using a low-cost Network Capable Application Processor (NCAP) compatible with IEEE 1451.0 standard.

Development of methods for acquiring and transfering measurement data in testing the electric locomotives

Abstract The paper describes procedures and methods upon which a system has been developed for testing the running behavior of new or reconstructed electric locomotives prior to release them into regular service. Special attention has been paid to precise measurement of traction currents and voltages, as well as non-electrical quantities, such as torque, longitudinal force exerted at the wheel rim, angular and linear velocity, which vary in a wide range. In addition to choosing appropriate sensors and measuring transducers, specific interface circuits were designed and manufactured, and a laboratory model for measuring electrical and non-electrical quantities of traction electric motors was developed and realised. Based on the experience and the results obtained from the laboratory model, a computerised data acquisition system for testing the electric locomotives in the field was designed from such a computerised systems as application program for simultaneous multichannel measurement of mechanical and el...