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Optical encryption technology attracts considerable attention in the field of information encryption, information storage, and anti‐counterfeiting. However, optical encryption based on conventional on/off mode still faces issues such as low scalability, ease of cracking, and poor storage capacity; multi‐dimensional and high storage capacity information encryption systems are thus needed. Herein, a programmable information encryption circuit system is demonstrated by constructing a delay light‐emitting diode (LED) array using multi‐color phosphorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) with versatile lifetimes. The CNDs show adjustable luminescence wavelength and lifetime from 192 to 1148 ms. The programmable delay luminescent circuit provides an intricate framework for meticulously integrating an LED array, enabling the creation of intricate patterns or alphanumeric codes. These intricate designs are engineered to serve as a component of an encryption system, which can be deciphered and unveiled under a specific delay time range. This study demonstrates the feasibility and superiority of the system as a new type of information anti‐counterfeiting encryption technology, providing a new concept for exploring the field of integrated circuit anti‐counterfeiting and encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of innovative systems using low-cost microcontrollers in human biometeorology studies is a promising alternative to conventional monitoring devices, which are usually cost-intensive and provide measurements at specific points, as in stationary meteorological stations. A Portable Low-cost Environmental Monitoring System (PLEMS) aimed at the pedestrian scale is introduced. The backpack-type equipment consists of a microcontroller with attached sensors that assess environmental conditions in a broad sense, integrating measurements of air quality, lighting and noise levels alongside variables typically measured at meteorological stations. The application of the system took place in altogether 12 environmental walks carried out with questionnaire-surveys with concurrent environmental monitoring with the PLEMS in Curitiba, Brazil, a subtropical location characterized by a Cfb climate type. Results allowed us to test the equipment and method of data gathering within a limited period (approximately 50 min) and for a short walking circuit of 800 m. The equipment was successfully able to capture even slightest differences in environmental conditions among points of interest, whereas subjective responses (n= 3843 responses to a total of 11 questions) showed consistency with measured data. From a multi-domain perspective, relevant insights could be obtained for the measured variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we target the efficient implementation of spiking neural networks (SNNs) for low-power and low-latency applications. In particular, we propose a methodology for tuning SNN spiking activity with the objective of reducing computation cycles and energy consumption. We performed an analysis to devise key hyper-parameters, and then we show the results of tuning such parameters to obtain a low-latency and low-energy embedded LSNN (eLSNN) implementation. We demonstrate that it is possible to adapt the firing rate so that the samples belonging to the most frequent class are processed with less spikes. We implemented the eLSNN on a microcontroller-based sensor node and we evaluated its performance and energy consumption using a structural health monitoring application processing a stream of vibrations for damage detection (i.e. binary classification). We obtained a cycle count reduction of 25% and an energy reduction of 22% with respect to a baseline implementation. We also demonstrate that our methodology is applicable to a multi-class scenario, showing that we can reduce spiking activity between 68 and 85% at iso-accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During this research, an automatic monitoring system was developed to monitor the working parameters in a solar power plant consisting of two flexible silicon modules. The first stage of the monitoring system relies on a microcontroller, which collects data from wattmeter modules made using a microcontroller. This tier also includes DC/DC converter and RS232-TCP converter modules for data transfer. The second stage, the industrial PLC, receives data from the first stage and transmits them to the PC, where the information is stored and the processes are visualized on the HMI screen. During this study, the charging process was analyzed using PWM- and MPPT-type charging controllers, as well as the power supply of Fito LED strips for lighting plants. Using the created monitoring system, the parameters of the solar power plant with flexible PV modules were monitored. This study compared PWM and MPPT battery charging methods, finding that MPPT is more efficient, especially under unstable solar conditions. MPPT technology optimizes energy usage more efficiently, resulting in faster battery charging compared to PWM technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An immobile patient cannot be weighed on a stand-on weighing machine, i.e., a bathroom scale. They have to get weighed while lying, which is not easy. The main objective of this research is to design a medical apparatus that measures the patient's weight in a lying condition. To achieve this the apparatus is designed as a stretcher to carry the patient in and around the hospital. Methods: The stretcher has four load cells to measure the patient's weight; it can bear a weight of 500 kg and has a self-weight of 20 kg. A Microcontroller unit (MCU) is embedded into the apparatus to weigh the patient lying on it. The stretcher comprises the top frame, middle frame, and base frame. The top frame can be detached and mounted back to the middle frame; this will help the medical personnel shift the patients from a medical bed. The middle frame is a plate structure where the four load cells are mounted at the corners of the lower plate. The upper plate functions as a pressure plate on the load cell. The base plate has four heavy-duty wheels that can bear the load. The middle frame and base frame, together, form a single structure, giving mobility to the structure. A control panel is employed with reset, tare, and on-off buttons to control the embedded platform. The LCD panel on the side of the apparatus shows the weight when the patient is placed on top of the apparatus. Results and discussion: A prototype trolley equipped with a wireless data logging system was tested on 10 healthy participants. The device accurately measured weight within ±50 g across a scale range of 2-140 kg, with data captured every 30 s over a 5-min testing period. Wireless communication was successfully demonstrated over a 100-m range. The important add-on feature of this work is the apparatus is connected to the internet, transforming it into an IoT-based medical device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population increases at an exponential rate as human society advances, and pollution is increasingly depleting the availability of resources such as water and land. All these problems are thought to require the use of smart agriculture. By reducing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, smart agriculture could mitigate land pollution and increase the sustainability of agricultural practices while also greatly enhancing the agro-ecological environment, yield, and quality of crops. The steps to make agriculture smart are made possible through data and communication technology, which helps with automatic operation and cultivation. Moreover, advances in wireless communication protocols will bring agriculture to a more intelligent stage. This study provides an overview of IoT technology and its application in the smart agriculture industry to make crop production automatic and intelligent by assessing their architecture (IoT devices, communication technologies, and processing), their applications, and research timelines. The communication protocols that have established uses in agriculture are reviewed first in this article. Various wireless communication protocols such as WiFi, ZigBee, SigFox, LoRa, RFID, NFMI, Terahertz, and NB-IoT were summarized, and their applications in various fields were also studied. These protocols in smart agriculture can effectively and efficiently address environmental data, water saving, monitoring of animal behavior, accuracy, power efficiency, cost reduction due to low power consumption, accuracy, wide transmission, simple in operation and cost effective. The most commonly used microcontrollers are Arduino (to develop autonomous machines), Raspberry Pi (to store data), and 8-bit microcontroller (to process data). In addition, it is important to take advantage of modern communication technology to enhance crop production. This study also examines the future opportunities and trends for IoT applications in smart agriculture, along with the ongoing challenges and issues that need addressing. Furthermore, it provides crucial insights and guidance for future research and the development of IoT solutions. These advancements aim to improve agricultural productivity and quality while facilitating the transition to a more sustainable agroecological future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Internet of Things (IoT) applications have become across-the-board and are used by most smart device users. Wired Communication, Bluetooth, radio frequency (RF), RS485/Modbus, and zonal intercommunication global standard (ZigBee) can be used as IoT communication methods. The low delay times and ability to control homes from outside the building via the Internet are the main reasons wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication is preferred. Commercially produced devices generally use their unique interfaces. The devices do not allow integration to form an intelligent home automation and demand-side energy management system. In addition, the high cost of most commercial products creates barriers for users. In this study, a local home automation server (LHAS) was created subject to low cost. Smart devices connected to the server through a Wi-Fi network were designed and implemented. The primary purpose of the design is to create an IoT network to form an LHAS. The IoT network will learn the energy consumption behavior of users for future Smart Grids. The designed intelligent devices can provide all the necessary measurements and control of houses. The open-source software Home Assistant (Hassio) was used to create the LHAS. Espressif systems (ESP) series microcontrollers (µCs) were chosen to design intelligent devices. ESP-01, NodeMCU, and ESP-32, the most widely used ESP models, were preferred. A convolutional neural network (CNN)/long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network was designed, and analysis was performed to learn the consumption behavior of residential users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A remarkably high growth has been observed in the uses of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), due to their momentous potential in various applications, namely the health sector, smart agriculture, safety systems, environmental monitoring, military operations, and many more. It is quite important that a WSN must have high reliability along with the least MTTF. This paper introduces a continuous-time Markov process, which is a special case of stochastic process, based on modeling of a wireless sensor network for analyzing the various reliability indices of the same. The modeling has been conducted by considering the different components, including the sensing unit, transceiver, microcontroller, power supply, standby power supply unit, and their failures/repairs, which may occur during their functioning. The study uncovered different important assessment parameters like reliability, components-wise reliability, MTTF, and sensitivity analysis. The critical components of a WSN are identified by incorporating the concept of sensitivity analysis. The outcomes emphasize that the proposed model will be ideal for understanding different reliability indices of WSNs and guiding researchers and potential users in developing a more robust wireless sensor network system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to design and develop a technology-based pest detection and repellent device using the Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller. This tool is designed to overcome the problem of the presence of insect pests and rats on the KWT Gemas Imlan agricultural land. The developed system integrates various sensors and modules to achieve optimal performance. The PIR sensor is used to detect the movement of pests around agricultural areas, while the LDR sensor functions to measure light intensity as one of the parameters of equipment operating conditions. As an expulsion measure, this device is equipped with an NE555 module which emits high frequency sound waves to repel or force pests to leave the agricultural area. Testing is carried out in stages, starting from individual testing of each sensor to testing the entire system. The research results show that this tool can operate automatically with a fast and accurate response, so it has the potential to be an effective solution for controlling pests on agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public transport plays a significant role in the economic development of a country, so the state must guarantee its proper functioning, not only in terms of controlling vehicular traffic and generating adequate roads but also in terms of pricing and customer service. This article proposes a smart electronic taximeter that improves customer service quality and provides greater control for the taxi owner. To achieve this, the smart taximeter has a data entry module (keyboard), a location module (global position system), a time module (date and time), a storage module (memory), a display module (light emitting diode array), an auditory module (speech synthesizer), a communication module (Wi-Fi) and a microcontroller that controls the processes of setup, pricing, billing, and accounting. The results have shown a satisfactory response on the part of the client and the entrepreneur since it allows a higher level of inclusion from the auditory output in Spanish and English, as well as to carry out better financial accounting through the storage of information on the place, date and time, start and end, as well as the duration, distance, fare, surcharges, total cost, and number of each taxi service (ride). Finally, the smart electronic taximeter complies with all Colombian resolution No. 88918 relations of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The goal of this study is to develop a wireless-controlled robotic hand that is capable of replicating the movements of a human hand. A central objective of the design process is the development of a sensing technique that can accurately capture and translate human hand movements into electrical signals in a sustainable manner. This sensing technology relies on the detection of flexion and extension in the human hand, achieved through the modulation of light transmitted from a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and received by a Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR). Five sensors, each corresponding to a finger, are integrated into a glove worn by the user, thereby enabling an intuitive control of the robotic hand. The sensors generate discrete electrical signals with each finger movement, which are then wirelessly transmitted via nRF24l01 modules to the microcontroller of the robotic hand. Subsequently, the microcontroller generates the requisite electrical signals to actuate the servo motors, thereby orchestrating the movement of the robotic fingers to mimic human hand gestures. The robotic hand, comprising 46 individual components fabricated using biodegradable polylactic acid material via 3D printing, successfully achieves its objective of replicating human hand movements. However, a minor delay in milliseconds is observed between human hand movements and the corresponding robotic hand movements. Despite this delay, the developed system shows promise for applications in hazardous environments, such as dangerous chemistry experiments, and enhances safety in the medical laboratory. It may also play a crucial role in remote surgery procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the pressing issue of ineffective traditional methods for monitoring wheel alignment in vehicles. The motivation stems from the limitations of manual inspection and the need for a more efficient and accurate solution. The aim is to develop a Smart Alignment Monitoring System that can provide real-time monitoring of alignment parameters. The objective is to enhance vehicle safety and performance by detecting misalignment issues early. The proposed solution involves the use of advanced sensor technologies integrated with vehicles' tire position. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Smart Alignment Monitoring System in reducing maintenance costs, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing vehicle safety and performance. This study highlights the significance of adopting advanced technologies like Smart Alignment Monitoring Systems in the automotive industry to ensure safer and more efficient vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical-based sensing techniques and instruments, such as fluorometric systems, absorbance-based sensors, and photoacoustic spectrometers, are important tools for detecting food fraud, adulteration, and contamination for health and environmental purposes. All the aforementioned optical equipments generally require one or more low-frequency Lock-In Amplifiers (LIAs) to extract the signal of interest from background noise. In the cited applications, the required LIA frequency is quite low (up to 1 kHz), and this leads to a simplification of the hardware with consequent good results in portability, reduced size, weight, and low-cost characteristics. The present system, called ENEA DSP Box Due, is based on a very inexpensive microcontroller proto-board and can replace four commercial LIAs, resulting in significant savings in both cost and space. Furthermore, it incorporates a dual-channel oscilloscope and a sinusoidal function generator. This article outlines the architecture of the ENEA DSP Box Due, its electrical characterization, and its applications within a project concerning laser techniques for food and water safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the practical implementation of a Generalized Model Predictive Control (GPC) algorithm using low-cost microcontrollers. The computational efficiency of the predictive controller is achieved through an explicit analytical solution calculated offline. The proposed approach is implemented, reviewed, and compared with academic benchmarks and complex dynamic systems. Experimental results are provided using both Black-Box and White-Box models based on a boost converter, with a comparison between the two models. The algorithm demonstrates good control performance with low computational time, making it suitable for real-time applications in systems with fast dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the data communication between a computer and a hydroelectric renewable energy system called a Hydroelectric Turbine. The purpose of the communication is to obtain data from the turbine to diagnose how it is operating. In terms of physical data transport, the two points, which are composed of a computer and a turbine, communicate via radio frequency through two transceivers operating at the frequency of 433 MHz. One is on the turbine and the second is on an electronic system with a microcontroller. The microcontroller serves as an interface to transmit information from the computer's USB port to the turbine. The communication protocol is a request-response type, and the length of the data packet transmitted between the turbine and the computer is fixed. This paper outlines the internal communication processes from the software level of the microcontroller and the PC. These methods enable the PC and the turbine to establish half duplex connection for data acquisition. In the last section of the paper, the advantages, and results of using this type of communication are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the use of programmable microprocessors to develop a computerized stand for the preparation of a mixture of flammable/toxic/explosive gases in order to obtain mixtures at concentrations in explosive range is presented. The operating principle of the stand is based on the mixing of two volumetric flows, controlled with the help of microprocessors, where gases are stored and circulated at atmospheric pressure through cylindrical injectors, driven by stepper motors so that the gas circuit does not require valves. The exit of the stand is a homogenization chamber, with agitator and sensor to confirm the desired concentration of the mixture. This automated stand eliminates mechanical, electric or pneumatic valves from the gas circuits, avoiding elements with high mechanical resistance suitable for high pressures/depressions, removing the possibility of the return of the gas flow, without sensitivity to sudden pressures variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Computer Measurement & Control is the property of Magazine Agency of Computer Measurement & Control and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article, a novel electromagnetic diaphragm pump design controlled by an Arduino NANO microcontroller is proposed to pump liquid inside the pumping chamber completely separated from mechanical and transmission parts. The prototype is primarily based on alternating the polarity of two electromagnets that attract or repel a permanent magnet located on a flexible diaphragm. The system hardware layout is completed by electronic components:. an Arduino NANO microcontroller created by Atmel, Headquarters San Jose, California. and display within the cabinet to control the polarization of the electromagnets and exhibit the temperature inside the pump. The electromagnetic pump and control system consist of innovative approaches as a solution for the treatment of unclean water and integration with solar panel systems. In addition, the measurement tests of the electromagnetic pump, including the temperatures of electromagnets and the quantity of the pumped liquid within the chamber, indicate a dependence on the selected speed of the electromagnet's polarization. The electromagnetic pump achieves high efficiency as a combination of the temperature and the amount of liquid that can be regulated and controlled by the switching speed of the electromagnet's polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Currently, photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. Solar trackers (ST) are devices that track and maintain the alignment of solar collectors with the sun's rays, thereby increasing energy generation. This article reports on the development of a microcontrolled dual‐axis solar tracker. The system lacks feedback and relies on astronomical equations to calculate the position of the sun. The positioning of the solar panel is controlled by an on–off controller, while the energy generated by the tracker is compared to the output of a stationary panel. Unlike other studies, this work takes into account the energy consumed during the process, including powering the control system and moving the structure. The true tracking gain is estimated using this method. The tracker was analyzed over three days under different climatic conditions, including sunny, partly cloudy, and cloudy weather. After evaluation, the average error of the solar positioning algorithm was 1%. On a sunny day, the tracker produced 52.96% more energy than the fixed system. Considering the energy consumed by the tracking system, the net gain was 48.88%. The average gross gain for the three days analyzed was 45.64%, which is higher than the results of recent studies using the same tracker configuration. For the cloudy day, tracking was not very effective, resulting in a net gain of only 2.14%. In future work, an irradiation sensor could be included to reduce energy consumption on cloudy days. Additional studies are needed to more accurately evaluate the performance of the trigger, preferably with a one‐year data collection period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deeply embedded systems powered by microcontrollers are becoming popular with the emergence of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology. However, these devices primarily run C/C \({+}{+}\) code and are susceptible to memory bugs, which can potentially lead to both control data attacks and non-control data attacks. Existing defense mechanisms (such as control-flow integrity (CFI), dataflow integrity (DFI) and write integrity testing (WIT), etc.) consume a massive amount of resources, making them less practical in real products. To make it lightweight, we design a bitmap-based allowlist mechanism to unify the storage of the runtime data for protecting both control data and non-control data. The memory requirements are constant and small, regardless of the number of deployed defense mechanisms. We store the allowlist in the TrustZone to ensure its integrity and confidentiality. Meanwhile, we perform an offline analysis to detect potential collisions and make corresponding adjustments when it happens. We have implemented our idea on an ARM Cortex-M-based development board. Our evaluation results show a substantial reduction in memory consumption when deploying the proposed CFI and DFI mechanisms, without compromising runtime performance. Specifically, our prototype enforces CFI and DFI at a cost of just 2.09% performance overhead and 32.56% memory overhead on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the use of programmable microprocessors to develop a computerized stand for the preparation of a mixture of flammable/toxic/explosive gases in order to obtain mixtures at concentrations in explosive range is presented. The operating principle of the stand is based on the mixing of two volumetric flows, controlled with the help of microprocessors, where gases are stored and circulated at atmospheric pressure through cylindrical injectors, driven by stepper motors so that the gas circuit does not require valves. The exit of the stand is a homogenization chamber, with agitator and sensor to confirm the desired concentration of the mixture. This automated stand eliminates mechanical, electric or pneumatic valves from the gas circuits, avoiding elements with high mechanical resistance suitable for high pressures/depressions, removing the possibility of the return of the gas flow, without sensitivity to sudden pressures variations.

The densification of the vehicle fleet leads to numerous challenges in road safety management. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) helps to manage vehicle-vehicle-infrastructure interactivity, in particular to predict dangers and avoid accidents, detect and penalize traffic violations. This requires a massive deployment of communicating nodes embedded in vehicles and in road infrastructure. The reliability of the systems built on these nodes lies in the accuracy of the ranging. In order to improve the factors that impact accuracy, various ranging protocols have been developed, but their implementations most often involve the use of expensive and specialized transceivers, which incorporate a dedicated IEEE 802.15.4a ranging layer. Our approach implements the basic and advanced functions integrated into low-cost transceivers and microcontrollers. As result, in two or three links according to the case, our protocol performs simultaneously the ranging and the data exchange, against a specific ranging session with a minimum of three exchanges for the other protocols. Moreover, each node knows the ranging data and has its clock frequency adapted to the controlled process. So, we meet the challenges of large-scale low-cost node deployment, while ensuring high reliability and performance of ranging.

A significant attention has concentrated on systems with “hidden attractors” in recent years. The aim of this work is to study an oscillator displaying “hidden attractors”. The oscillator has all nonlinear terms but no equilibrium. The oscillator exhibits attractive dynamics such as chaos, bubble bifurcation, symmetrical attractors, and boosting attractors. Oscillator's feasibility is verified by a microcontroller. Utilizing the oscillator for biomedical image encryption illustrates its application. In addition, the adaptive control is designed for the oscillator.

In recent years, various solutions have been developed to control power electronic converters using devices available on the market that are powerful and easy to use. These solutions, in most cases, offer high performance. However, these have high implementation costs because the required devices are expensive. For this reason, this document presents the implementation of two discrete-time controllers widely used in the literature for a boost converter implemented on a low-cost platform. The objective is to obtain a constant voltage at the converter's output for photovoltaic system applications. The proportional-integral control is implemented as the first case, and the second case is a sliding mode control. In addition, a prior analysis is presented through simulation. Both control algorithms are implemented on the TMS320F28379D microcontroller from Texas Instruments through the same manufacturer's integrated development software based on an optimized C/C++ language compiler. The results of the non-linear algorithm reveal better performance in reducing the time response, the overshoot of the transient state, and the steady-state error. Finally, the significant economic savings associated with the implementation costs of the controllers tested on a low-cost platform differentiate this work from other similar ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding subnivean life is crucial, particularly due to the major role in food webs played by small animals inhabiting this poorly known habitat. However, challenges such as remoteness and prolonged, harsh winters in the Arctic have hampered our understanding of subnivean ecology in this region. To address this problem, we present an improved autonomous, low-power system for monitoring small mammals under the snow in the Arctic. It comprises a compact camera paired with a single-board computer for video acquisition, a low-power-microcontroller-based circuit to regulate video acquisition timing, and motion detection circuits. We also introduce a novel low-power method of gathering complementary information on animal activities using passive infrared sensors. Meticulously designed to withstand extreme cold, prolonged operation periods, and the limited energy provided by batteries, the system's efficacy is demonstrated through laboratory tests and field trials in the Canadian Arctic. Notably, our system achieves a standby power consumption of approximately 60 µW, representing a seventy-fold reduction compared to previous equipment. The system recorded unique videos of animal life under the snow in the High Arctic. This system equips ecologists with enhanced capabilities to study subnivean life in the Arctic, potentially providing insights to address longstanding questions in ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative smart impact detection system designed for real-time monitoring of shipment status and path integrity. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of the ESPRESSIF ESP32-S3-MINI-1U-N8 microcontroller, which integrates Wi-Fi, a display, a memory card slot, and accelerometers, this detector represents a significant advancement in shipment tracking technology. The device is engineered to continuously measure impact magnitudes in terms of g-force, and records data when predefined impact thresholds are exceeded. These data are then wirelessly transmitted to a remote server, providing users with the ability to track shipment status and path via a dedicated application. The performance testing revealed impact measurements ranging from −0.5 to 2 g, with occasional peaks reaching approximately 4.5 g, demonstrating the system's sensitivity and reliability in diverse conditions. This smart impact detector not only facilitates continuous monitoring, but also enhances the ability to respond swiftly to potential shipment violations, thus providing a novel solution for ensuring shipment integrity. This research contributes to the field by presenting a comprehensive real-time impact detection system that integrates modern microcontroller technology with effective monitoring capabilities, setting a new benchmark for shipment tracking systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UNICEF reports that health workers frequently use the child's breath count to diagnose pneumonia in nations with weak health care systems (i.e., few doctors, limited access to laboratories, and chest x-rays). Counting a child's respiratory rate (RR) manually using an acute respiratory infection timer is a challenging task among health workers. The misclassification of an observed rate would lead to improper treatment. In the work, a low-cost noncontact automatic counter was proposed to estimate the RR using a Time of Flight (ToF) sensor. Here, the ToF sensor is pointed at the chest of the human body with clothes to capture chest wall expansion and contraction. This chest wall movement can be related to the inhalation and exhalation of breathing, which can be related to respiration activity. Clear breathing patterns were observed in the extracted respiration signal and standard signal processing techniques were employed to estimate the respiration rate. The device can measure the subject's respiration rate at a wide range of frequencies (slow, normal, and rapid), ranging from 4 to 100 breaths per minute (bpm). The single-pixel ToF sensor with a 940 nm wavelength is illumination-invariant in indoor applications and robust against clothes. The device's performance was assessed by comparing the attained real-time signals with the ground truth signals. The proposed device's estimated mean absolute error (MAE) has an error of less than 2 bpm for any frequency range. The device is computationally efficient, taking less than 36 ms to estimate and display the RR readings in the user interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key requirement for electric vehicles is efficient braking. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed description of the regenerative braking system utilizing various power flow regulators. This study utilizes a buck-boost type Boost Converter. There are two methods employed to modify the voltage derived from the fluctuating input produced during regenerative braking: one to decrease it and the other to boost it. Subsequently, a voltage sensor detects the resulting output voltage, which is then regulated using an Arduino microcontroller. The examination findings indicate that the buck-boost converter performs well, maintaining an output voltage within the range of 39- 40 volts. This allows it to function well even when there are fluctuations in the input voltage. The voltage value can be utilized for the purpose of charging a battery for a 36 Volt electric motor. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of utilizing a Buck-Boost Converter regulator. Furthermore, it could charge the battery within a span of 8 seconds, making it a viable option for electric vehicles as an alternative to regenerative braking for battery recharging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents the design of a fire early detection system utilizing a microcontroller integrated with Mamdani fuzzy logic. The system employs multiple sensors, including temperature, gas, and infrared sensors, to detect fires by analyzing the temperature, gas concentration, and fire distance. The microcontroller serves as the core processor that controls the sensors and triggers responses, such as alarms and sprinkler activation, based on fuzzy logic-based decision-making. Fuzzy logic enhances the system's adaptability to different fire severity levels, improving response accuracy. The system successfully detects potential fires, controls the sprinkler system automatically, and is shown to improve fire prevention in various environments. Testing results indicate that the system can effectively identify fire hazards and minimize damage by responding appropriately to various fire scenarios. This research provides a foundation for developing smarter and more efficient fire safety systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is commonly acknowledged as one of the primary forces driving ectotherm vector populations, most notably by influencing metabolic rates and survival. Although numerous experiments have shown this for a wide variety of organisms, the vast majority has been conducted at constant temperatures and changes therein, while temperature is far from constant in nature, and includes seasonal and diurnal cycles. As fluctuating temperatures have been described to affect metabolic processes at (sub)cellular level, this calls for studies evaluating the relative importance of temperature fluctuations and the changes therein. To gain insight in the effects of temperature fluctuations on ectotherm development, survival, and sex ratio, we developed an inexpensive, easily reproducible, and open‐source, Arduino‐based temperature control system, which emulates natural sinusoidal fluctuations around the average temperature. We used this novel setup to compare the effects of constant (mean) temperatures, most commonly used in experiments, block schemes, and natural sinusoidal fluctuations as well as an extreme variant with twice its amplitude using the cosmopolitan mosquito species Culex pipiens s.l. as a study organism. Our system accurately replicated the preprogrammed temperature treatments under outdoor conditions, even more accurately than traditional methods. While no effects were detected on survival and sex ratio within the ranges of variation evaluated, development was sped up considerably by including temperature fluctuations, especially during pupation, where development under constant temperatures took almost a week (30%) longer than under natural fluctuations. Doubling the amplitude further decreased development time by 1.5 days. These results highlight the importance of including (natural) oscillations in experiments on ectotherm organisms – both aquatic and terrestrial – that use temperature as a variable. Ultimately, these results have major repercussions for downstream effects at larger scales that may be studied with applications such as ecological niche models, disease risk models, and assessing ecosystem services that rely on ectotherm organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The given research presents assembling and testing optoelectronic system to record and process signals from fiber-optic sensors. The main optoelectronic systems to record and process the signals from fiber-optic sensors are light source controller and optical power detector. There was assembled controller diagram, which apart from light source includes current source for its adequate operation, as well as the systems necessary for stabilizing its working point. The scheme was modelled for specifying nominal and maximum operation criteria. Construction has been designed in the way, that light source controller includes structures of the current regulation and stabilization super luminescent diode (SLED) and temperature stabilization. Apart from that, there was assembled the microsystem of optical power detector additionally to the light detector, which includes the microsystems of intensification and filtration of the signal measured, processing analog data into digital form, microcontroller, used for preliminary data analysis. Data of optoelectronic systems diagram to record and process the signals from fiber-optic sensors has high response speed, low noise level and sufficient progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the demand for electrical energy is paramount in various daily activities. Hence, individuals must be aware of the amount of electrical energy consumed to maintain the quality of electronic devices. Knowing the quality of electronic devices is essential since it can impact the performance and lifespan of electrical equipment. The value of electrical power is determined by the quality of electrical power and the number of hours. Monitoring electrical energy involves collecting or measuring data to assess the current level of energy consumption. The author is interested in researching the use of Datalogger Spreadsheets to monitor and gather realtime information on energy use, which is made possible through integration with internet of things (IoT) and microcontrollers. Through data analysis and observation, solutions to existing problems are sought by comparing and matching data. Monitoring daily energy usage in a home setting produces output data that can be viewed directly and remotely with real-time results. This tool is expected to address current issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) have played a key role in recent years in both industrial and commercial applications. Despite their many significant advantages, such as high efficiency, very good dynamics, and high power density, these types of motors are prone to various types of faults. This article proposes a low-cost microcontroller-based system for PMSM stator winding condition monitoring and fault diagnosis. It meets the demand created by the use of more and more low-budget solutions in industrial and commercial applications. A printed circuit board (PCB) has been developed to measure PMSM stator phase currents, which are used as diagnostic signals. The key components of this PCB are LEM's LESR 6-NP current transducers. The acquisition and processing of diagnostic signals using a low-cost embedded system (NUCLEO-H7A3ZI-Q) with an ARM Cortex-M core is described in detail. A machine learning-driven KNN-based fault diagnostic algorithm is implemented to detect and classify incipient PMSM stator winding faults (interturn short-circuits). The effects of the severity of the fault and the motor operating conditions on the symptom extraction process are also investigated. The results of experimental tests conducted on a 2.5 kW PMSM confirmed the effectiveness of the developed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of science in the field of robotics has made many heavy jobs that cannot be done by humans replaced by robots, especially in the factory industry. In modern factories, most of them have a warehouse or similar facility that contains heavy equipment for use in a factory, for example, forklift heavy equipment. Based on an interview with one of the forklift operators, the problem of using forklifts is usually when there are items that must be moved that cannot be lifted by humans which must be done immediately according to the route where the item is stored. To answer the existing problems, a robot prototype was made which is useful to help facilitate the work of factory workers. This robot prototype was built using the User Centered Design (UCD) method. This robot prototype uses the main components of Arduino UNO, L293D Motor Driver, and PWM Servo Motor Driver. Based on the overall testing that has been done, it can be said that the robot prototype can follow the route according to the program and can lift and remove objects in front of it with a score of 80%. So that workers can be helped to facilitate their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report investigates the implementation and benefits of an Automatic Sprinkler System driven by the Arduino Uno microcontroller in agricultural irrigation. The primary aim is to elucidate the functionality and practicality of this automated system in enhancing water efficiency and crop productivity. Through accessible language and technical explanations, the report explores the system's design, operation, and integration with sensors for optimal performance. Emphasis is placed on the system's ability to provide precise watering, customizable scheduling, and water conservation, thereby addressing critical challenges in modern agriculture. By examining the technical aspects and real-world implications, this report underscores the transformative potential of automated irrigation systems in promoting sustainable farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools mainly use transmission elements such as screws and gears as drive systems. To obtain better accuracy, equipment manufacturers apply pre-pressure to the screw to reduce the occurrence of backlash errors. Backlash errors are one of the important factors affecting positioning accuracy. When the pre-pressure fails, a backlash error occurs. Backlash error can cause abnormal vibration or drive delays in CNC drive systems, leading to reduced transmission efficiency and poor positioning accuracy. Therefore, in most research, vibration sensors are installed on the fixed end of the screw or the nut to detect abnormal phenomena and to estimate the backlash error using the algorithmic model. This traditional method has been established on the basis of the relationship between the amount of vibration and backlash error using an algorithmic model. The backlash can be estimated using this traditional method. However, this traditional method cannot directly sense backlash errors, and the accuracy of the measurement is limited by the algorithm model. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to use a photoelectric switch sensor combined with a microcontroller unit to detect the backlash errors of the CNC drive system. This system can detect a time change of 10 µs. After error corrections, the gain values of each backlash amount and delay time can be used to predict the backlash amount. Through the final verification with commercially available instruments, the system accuracy was found to reach 0.001 mm on the linear axis and 0.001° on the rotating axis. Owing to the streamlined sensing principle of the proposed system, in the future, the system can be integrated into the relevant rotary table components or within the CNC drive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate data acquisition is crucial in embedded systems. This study aimed to evaluate the data acquisition ability of the ESP32 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) module when combined with the I2S module to collect high-frequency data. Sine waves at various frequencies and white noise were recorded in this mode. The recorded data were analyzed by the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to assess the accuracy of the recorded data and evaluate the generated noise. Digital filters are proposed to improve the quality of the collected signals. A 2D spectrogram imaging algorithm is proposed to convert the data to time-frequency domain images. The results showed that the ADC module could effectively collect signals at frequencies up to 96 kHz; frequency errors were proportional to the sampling rate, and the maximum was 79.6 Hz, equivalent to 0.38%. The execution time of the lowpass and highpass filters was about 6.83 ms and for the bandpass filter about 5.97 ms; the spectrogram imaging time was 40 ms; while the calculation time for an FFT transform was approximately 1.14 ms, which is appropriate for real-time running. These results are significant for data collection systems based on microcontrollers and are a premise for deploying TinML networks on embedded systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the project that is presented in this document is to present the idea of a robotic arm that is capable of operating in environments that present imminent damage to living organisms. Mainly, this robotic arm is designed to be easily built, maintained, operated and the possibility to be replaced partially or totally at a reasonable cost and be a reliable tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This innovative project aims to increase the effectiveness and user experience of solar panel systems by introducing a state-of-the-art dust and speck removal system. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the system demonstrates a remarkable 32% increase in power output compared to dirty solar panels. The approach is characterized by its reliance on the universe as the system controller, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the workforce required for panel cleaning. The proposed timed system utilizes water and wipers, facilitated by internet of things (IoT) technology, microcontrollers, and sensor modules for efficient and automated operation. An Android application provides user control and notifications about ongoing processes. The system's adaptability for various settings is emphasized, offering a portable solution. The smart IoT based automatic solar panel cleaning ensures reliable performance, underscoring the project's commitment to improve scalability, cost-efficiency, performance, integrity, and consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood pressure is an important cardiovascular health indicator, with normal values set by the WHO at 140 mmHg for systole and 90 mmHg for diastole. Excess of these values indicates hypertension, which increases the risk of serious medical complications. This research developed an internet of things (IoT)-based blood pressure monitoring device, which facilitates digital blood pressure measurement and data transmission to widely accessible applications and websites. The device uses an MPX5050GP pressure sensor, Arduino Nano, and NodeMCU ESP32, as well as other components programmed using the Arduino IDE. Test results obtained from 10 subjects, the device showed an average difference in systole of 7.9 mmHg and diastole of 5.4 mmHg. This complies with recognized accuracy standards of a maximum error of 10 mmHg and indicates that the device operates effectively with the designed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of advances in both technology and science, it is now possible to carry out essential processes such as lifting objects and moving them by remote control of an arm. In this sense, it is much easier for a person to engage in potentially dangerous activities without running the risk of getting hurt. This article presents the development and design of a robot arm that is controlled by a smartphone device using gyroscope sensors integrated inside. Smartphones with built-in gyroscope sensors are used to operate robot arms in a flexible and affordable manner. The robot arm's movement is effectively controlled by the gyroscope sensors, which include proximity, orientation, and accelerometer sensors, to get it to the required position. The developed prototype found to capable of handling a variety of objects with a smooth movement and transporting them based on the movement of a mobile phone. The control of the arm imitates the movements of a human being, which results in the reduction of the amount of time and effort required by a person to carry out a certain process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic egg counters are used to count the number of eggs produced on poultry farms. They work on various technologies such as weight sensors, optical sensors, or pressure sensors. In this work, a system for automatic egg counting on a conveyor using optical distance sensors will be investigated and developed. The developed mathematical description provides a clear understanding of the object recognition process and can be further improved by adding new functionality to the system. The goal of this work is to obtain a mathematical description of the object detection algorithm using the method of searching for local maxima, with subsequent confirmation of the obtained mathematical model on a real installation. The scientific novelty lies in the development of a previously unexplored model of an egg counting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand gesture recognition using a camera provides an intuitive and promising means of human-computer interaction and allows operators to execute commands and control machines with simple gestures. Research in hand gesture recognition-based control systems has garnered significant attention, yet the deploying of microcontrollers into this domain remains relatively insignificant. In this study, we propose a novel approach utilizing micro-hand gesture recognition built on micro-bottleneck Residual and micro-bottleneck Conv blocks. Our proposed model, comprises only 42K parameters, is optimized for size to facilitate seamless operation on resource-constrained hardware. Benchmarking conducted on STM32 microcontrollers showcases remarkable efficiency, with the model achieving an average prediction time of just 269ms, marking a 7× faster over the state-of-art model. Notably, despite its compact size and enhanced speed, our model maintains competitive performance result, achieving an accuracy of 99.6% on the ASL dataset and 92% on OUHANDS dataset. These findings underscore the potential for deploying advanced control methods on compact, costeffective devices, presenting promising avenues for future research and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a system that, using Internet access, should enable remote fuel level checks independent of the location of the vehicle. The system uses a sensor that continuously measures the gasoline level in a vehicle tank and connects to a microcontroller input. The Internet of Things (IoT) implementation provides real-time fuel monitoring with the aid of the sensor, which in turn is processed by the microcontroller and then sent through the Internet to the smartphone module of the vehicle owner. The IoT-based vehicle fuel theft detection system offers a reliable and efficient solution for monitoring and detecting fuel theft, to vehicle owners and fleet management companies. The system's ability to detect unauthorized fuel flow and alert the user through the Internet makes it an ideal solution to the problem of vehicle fuel theft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the evolution of vending machines, emphasizing their integration with RFID technology for cashless transactions. Vending machines have transformed human-machine interaction, offering convenient access to products and services. Transitioning from coin-operated to RFIDenabled systems has revolutionized the industry, enhancing security, reducing costs, and improving user experience. Through exploration of technical specifications and design objectives, the research highlights RFID vending machines' potential to reshape consumer behavior and optimize operations. Traditional cashbased vending machines face challenges such as limited storage, recognition issues, and security concerns. To address these, the paper proposes an intelligent RFID-based cashless vending machine for drink sales. The system incorporates RFID technology for payment, allowing users to swipe cards and select drinks without cash involvement. Prototype development involved software design, utilizing C-language for multiproduct vending. Comparatively, the RFID-based system outperforms cash-based counterparts in efficiency, security, and sales tracking, presenting a superior solution for drink sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to advancements in silicon photomultiplier sensors (SiPMs) and system-on-chip (SoC) technology, our INFN Roma1 group developed ArduSiPM in 2012, the first all-in-one scintillator particle detector in the literature. It used a custom Arduino Due shield to process fast signals, utilizing the Microchip Sam3X8E SoC's internal peripherals to control and acquire SiPM signals. The availability of radiation-tolerant SoCs, combined with the goal of reducing system space and weight, led to the development of an innovative second-generation board, a better-performing device called Cosmo ArduSiPM, suitable for space missions. The architecture of the new detector is based on the Microchip SAMV71 300 MHz, 32-bit ARM® Cortex®-M7 (Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler, AZ, USA). While the analog front-end is essentially identical to the ArduSiPM, it utilizes components with the smallest possible package. The board fits in a CubeSat module. Thanks to the compact design, the board has two independent channels, with a total weight of only 40 grams within a CubeSat form factor. The ArduSiPM architecture is based on a single microcontroller and fast discrete analog electronics. It benefits from the continued development of SoCs related to the IoT (Internet of Things) market. Compared with a system with a custom ASIC, this architecture based on software and SoC capabilities offers considerable advantages in terms of cost and development time. The ability to incorporate new commercial SoCs, continuously emerging from advancements in the aerospace and automotive industries, provides the system with a robust foundation for sustained growth over the years. A detailed characterization of the hardware and the system's response to different photon fluxes is presented in this article. Additionally, coupling the device with a scintillator was tested at the end of this article as a preliminary trial for future measurements, showing potential for further enhancement of the detector's capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To measure the electrical parameters of 25Hz phase-sensitive track circuit, a testing instrument with STM32 microcontroller as the control core is designed. It mainly uses the method of root mean square and fast Fourier transform to measure the effective value of the coil voltage of the track relay and the phase difference between the coil voltage of the track relay and the local coil voltage. The voltage waveform and calculation results are displayed on TFT-LCD, which has the advantages of simple structure, fast processing speed and high measurement accuracy. It is convenient for the daily detection and fault diagnosis of 25Hz phase-sensitive track circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant attention has concentrated on systems with "hidden attractors" in recent years. The aim of this work is to study an oscillator displaying "hidden attractors". The oscillator has all nonlinear terms but no equilibrium. The oscillator exhibits attractive dynamics such as chaos, bubble bifurcation, symmetrical attractors, and boosting attractors. Oscillator's feasibility is verified by a microcontroller. Utilizing the oscillator for biomedical image encryption illustrates its application. In addition, the adaptive control is designed for the oscillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]