• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2009

For diagnoses of digestive organs, capsule endoscopes are widely used and offer valuable information without patient's discomfort. A general capsule endoscope which consists of image sensing module, telemetry module and battery is able to move along gastro-intestinal tracts passively only through peristaltic waves. Thus, it is likely to have some limitations for doctor to acquire images from the desired organs and to diagnose them effectively. As solutions to these problems, a locomotive function of capsule endoscopes has being developed. We have proposed a capsule-type microrobot with synchronized multiple legs. However, the proposed capsular microrobot also has some limitations, such as low speed in advancement, inconvenience to controlling the microrobot, lack of an image module, and deficiency in a steering module. In this paper, we will describe the limitations of the locomotive microrobot and propose solutions to the drawbacks. The solutions are applied to the capsular microrobot and evaluated by in-vitro tests. Based on the experimental results, we conclude that the proposed solutions are effective and appropriate for the locomotive microrobot to explore inside intestinal tracts.

• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2009

In this paper, we propose a framework for the real-time monitoring of wireless biosensors. This is a scalable platform that requires minimum human interaction during set-up and monitoring. Its main components include a biosensor, a smart gateway to automatically set up the body area network, a mechanism for delivering data to an Internet monitoring server, and automatic data collection, profiling and feature extraction from bio-potentials. Such a system could increase the quality of life and significantly lower healthcare costs for everyone in general, and for the elderly and those with disabilities in particular.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.413-420
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• 2024

A dual-band bio-implantable compact antenna with a meander-line structure is presented. The proposed meander-line antenna resonates at the industrial, scientific, and medical (2.4 GHz) and wireless medical telemetry (1.4 GHz) bands. The meander-line structure is selected as a radiating patch given its versatile and effective design. With a dimension of only 10 mm × 10 mm × 0.635 mm, the designed antenna is compact. Considering a skin phantom, the proposed antenna was designed, optimized, and simulated. The Rogers RT/duroid 6010 substrate material with high dielectric constant was used to fabricate the meander-line dual-band implantable antenna, which was validated experimentally. The superstrate was made of the same material. Experiments were conducted on skin-mimicking gel. The designed meander-line antenna has a high peak gain of -21 dBi at 2.4 GHz, and its maximum specific absorption rate is compliant with IEEE safety standards.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.825-832
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• 2020

The detection of estrus is very important for the successful reproductive efficiency of cattle. This has prompted the development of electronic estrus detection techniques by using the characterization of estrus behavior. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in physical activity, mounting behavior and vocalization during estrus in Hanwoo (Korean native cattle). Bio-telemetry devices were attached to 4 multiparous Hanwoo and physical activity was compared, namely mounting behavior and vocalization for 6 days (from 2 days before the day of estrus to 3 days after the day of estrus). Physical activity rapidly increased on the day of estrus (p<0.001) and was frequently observed at night time. Mounting behavior gradually increased, starting from 2 days before the day of estrus and reached its highest level on the day of estrus (p<0.01). The circadian rhythm showed irregularities during this entire period (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in vocalization during the experiment period (p>0.05). In conclusion, we assumed that mounting behavior is an early indicator to detect estrus in Hanwoo and if both mounting behavior and physical activity are considered together it would be possible to detect estrus with a higher probability. Further studies with more information from different sources regarding the measuring of estrus in Hanwoo are needed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.243-251
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• 2011

Purpose of this study was to analyze power requirement of an agricultural tractor for baler operation. First, a power measurement system was developed and installed in a 75 kW agricultural tractor. Strain-gages with a telemetry system were used to measure torques of transmission and PTO input shafts. An engine tachometer was used to measure rotational speed of transmission and PTO input shafts. The measurement system also included pressure sensors to measure pressure of hydraulic pumps, an I/O interface to acquire the sensor signals, and an embedded system to determine power requirements. Second, field experiments were conducted at two PTO speed levels, and proportion of utilization ratio of rated engine power and power consumption of major parts (transmission input shaft, PTO input shaft, main hydraulic pump, and auxiliary hydraulic pump) were analyzed. Results of usage proportion of engine power for PTO speed level 1 and 2 were 4.1 and 2.2%, 31.5 and 16.3%, 49.6 and 59.7%, 14.4 and 20.8%, and 0.4 and 1.0%, respectively, for ratio of measured engine power to rated engine power of less than 25%, 25 ~ 50%, 50 ~ 75%, 75 ~ 100%, and greater than 100%. The results showed that the usage proportion increased in the range with the ratio of power requirement to rated engine power of over than 50% when the PTO gear was shifted from P1 to P2. Averaged engine power requirement for baling operation, tying and discharging operation, and total operation were 43.3, 37.3, and 42.0 kW and 49.0, 37.0, and 47.4 kW, respectively, for PTO speed level 1 and 2. Paired t-test showed significant difference in power consumption of engine, transmission input shaft, and PTO input shaft for different PTO speed levels. Therefore, the power consumption of engine for baler operation increased when the PTO gear was shifted from P1 to P2. It was indicated that the power requirement of tractor was affected by the PTO rotational speed for baler operation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2008

Bio-implantable devices such as heart pacers, gastric pacers and drug-delivery systems require power for carrying out their intended functions. These devices are usually powered through a battery implanted with the system or are wired to an external power source. This paper describes an inductive power transmission link, which was developed for an implantable stimulator for direct stimulation of denervated muscles. The carrier frequency is around 1MHz, the transmitter coil has a diameter of 46mm, and the implant coil is 46mm. Data transmission to the implant with amplitude shift keying (ASK) and back to the transmitter with passive telemetry can be added without major design changes. We chose the range of coil spacing (2 to 30mm) to care for lateral misalignment, as it occurs in practical use. If the transmitter coil has a well defined and reliable position in respect to the implant, a smaller working range might be sufficient. Under these conditions the link can be operated in fixed frequency mode, and reaches even higher efficiencies of up to 37%. The link transmits a current of 50 mA over a distance range of 2-15 mm with an efficiency of more than 20% in tracking frequency. The efficiency of the link was optimized with different approaches. A class E transmitter was used to minimize losses of the power stage. The geometry and material of the transmitter coil was optimized for maximum coupling. Phase lock techniques were used to achieve frequency tracking, keeping the transmitter optimally tuned at different coupling conditions caused by coil distance variations.