• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.226-235
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• 1995

An unmanned speed sprayer was developed using a remote control and an inductive cable guidance systems to protect operators and environment from hazardous pesticides. The sprayer consists of a remote control system, an induction system, obstacle detectors, control actuators and an one-chip microcomputer. The sprayer can be operated by the induction guidance and/or remote control. The following summarize characteristics of the developed speed sprayer. 1) Both the remote control and the induction guidance operation were possible with the developed speed sprayer. 2) Sixteen functions of the forwarding, backing, halting, steering, 3-way valve for nozzles and fan operating etc. were utilized on the remote control system. 3) It was concluded that the DTMF method, having less transmitting error, performed better than the FSK method for an agricultural remote controller. A radio station may be necessary. 4) The digital inductive guidance system, consisting of five low-impedance detection coils and a window comparator circuit, performed better than the analog detecting system, guiding route using inductive voltage differential from tow detection coils.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.481-490
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• 2008

Reaction wheel is one of the actuators for spacecraft attitude control, which generates torque by changing an inertial rotor speed inside of the wheel. In order to generate required torque accurately and estimate an accurate angular momentum, wheel speed should be measured as close to the actual speed as possible. In this study, two conventional speed detection methods for high speed motor with digital tacho pulse (Elapsed-time method and Pulse-count method) and their resolutions are analyzed. For satellite attitude maneuvering and control, reaction wheel shall be operated in bi directional and low speed operation is sometimes needed for emergency case. Thus the bias error at low speed with constant acceleration (or deceleration) is also analysed. As a result, the speed detection error of elapsed-time method is largely influenced upon the high-speed clock frequency at high speed and largely effected on the number of tacho pulses used in elapsed time calculation at low speed, respectively.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.835-849
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• 2010

This study investigated propagation characteristics of piezo-activated guided waves in an aluminium rectangular-section tube for the purpose of damage identification. Changes in propagating velocity and amplitude of the first wave packet in acquired signals were observed in the frequency range from 50 to 250 kHz. The difference in guided wave propagation between rectangular- and circular-section tubes was examined using finite element simulation, demonstrating a great challenge in interpretation of guided wave signals in rectangular-section tubes. An active sensor network, consisting of nine PZT elements bonded on different surfaces of the tube, was configured to collect the wave signals scattered from through-thickness holes of different diameters. It was found that guided waves were capable of propagating across the sharp tube curvatures while retaining sensitivity to damage, even that not located on the surfaces where actuators/sensors were attached. Signal correlation between the intact and damaged structures was evaluated with the assistance of a concept of digital damage fingerprints (DDFs). The probability of the presence of damage on the unfolded tube surface was thus obtained, by which means the position of damage was identified with good accuracy.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.159-171
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• 2009

The objective of this research is to explore a method to utilize a programmable robot, as a potential learning tool in the elementary school's curricula. Due to their programmability and operational ease of use, programmable robots are among digital toys that today offer specially instructive features. In this research, we developed the robot game-based project contents as a tool for teaching the elementary school children to learn the algorithm, the essential part of computer programming. The LEGO material, selected as the construction kit for robot, consists of a mechanical assembly system, a set of sensors and actuators, a central control unit, a programming environment. The project requires the children to complete 3 separate tasks, each of which is developed based on the principles of algorithm. The classroom feedback supports that the robotic experiences provided the children with fun and absorption. It is likely that implementing learning with robot in regular classroom in elementary school can bring new possibilities to the educational system, provided that a thorough preparation backs up the plan.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.623-628
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• 2009

The emergence of compact and low-power wireless communication sensors and actuators in the technology supporting the ongoing miniaturization of processing and storage allows for entirely the new kinds of embedded systems. These systems are distributed and deployed in environments where they may have been designed into a particular control method, and are often very dynamic. Collection of devices can communicate to achieve a higher level of coordinated behavior. Wireless sensor nodes deposited in various places provide light, temperature, and activity measurements. Wireless sensor nodes attached to circuits or appliances sense the current or control the usage. Together they form a dynamic and multi-hop routing network connecting each node to more powerful networks and processing resources. Wireless sensor networks are a specific-application and therefore they have to involve both software and hardware. They also use protocols that relate to both applications and the wireless network. Wireless sensor networks are consumer devices supporting multimedia applications such as personal digital assistants, network computers, and mobile communication devices. Wireless sensor networks are becoming an important part of industrial and military applications. The characteristics of modem embedded systems are the capable of communicating adapting the different operating environments. In this paper, We designed and implemented sensor network system which shows through host PC sensing temperature and humidity data transmitted for wireless sensor nodes composed wireless temperature and humidity sensor and designs sensor nodes using embedded system with the intention of studying USN.