M&MS - volume XIX - number 1/2012

POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Division IV: Engineering Sciences

Committee on Metrology
and Scientific Instrumentation

Home

Committee

Instructions

Archives

Links

VOLUME XIX - NUMBER 1/2012

[previous]

[next]

CONTENTS

1. Bielecki Z., Janucki J., Kawalec A., Mikołajczyk J., Pałka N., Pasternak M., Pustelny T., Stacewicz T., Wojtas J. - Sensors and systems for the detection of explosive devices - an overview	3
2. Jermak Cz.J., Spyra A., Rucki M. - Mathematical model of dynamic work conditions in the measuring chamber of an air gauge	29
3. Zygarlicki J., Mroczka J. - Variable-frequency prony method in the analysis of electrical power quality	39
4. Pułka A., Milik A. - Measurement aspects of genome pattern investigations - hardware implementation	49
5. Zhang Peng-He, He Jun-Jia, Zhang Dan-Dan, Wu Lan-Min - A fault diagnosis method for substation grounding grid based on the square-wave frequency domain model	63
6. Golonek T., Jantos P., Rutkowski J. - Stimulus with limited band optimization for analogue circuit testing	73
7. Szerdiová L., Šimšik D., Dolná Z. - Assessment of kinematics of sportsmen performing standing long jump in 2 different dynamical conditions	85
8. Rutkowski A.K. - A concept of a passive radar with quadrature microwave phase discriminators	95
9. Vedral J., Fexa P. - DAC testing using impulse signals	105
10. Zaworski Ł., Chaberski D., Kowalski M., Zieliński M. - Quantization error in time-to-digital converters	115
11. Miczulski W., Sobolewski Ł. - Influence of the GMDH neural network data preparation method on UTC(PL) correction prediction results	123
12. Santo Zarnik M., Belavic D. - The effects of humidity on the stability of LTCC pressure sensors	133
13. Pełczyński P., Ostrowski B., Rzeszotarski D. - Motion vector estimation of a stereovision camera with inertial sensors	141
14. Poniatowska M., Werner A. - Simulation tests of the method for determining a CAD model of free-form surface deterministic deviations	151
15. Dziurdzia P., Mysiura M., Gołda A. - Low voltage integrated converter for waste heat thermoelectric harvesters	159

ABSTRACTS

contents

SENSORS AND SYSTEMS FOR THE DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES - AN OVERVIEW

Zbigniew Bielecki¹⁾, Jacek Janucki¹⁾, Adam Kawalec¹⁾, Janusz Mikołajczyk¹⁾, Norbert Pałka¹⁾, Mateusz Pasternak¹⁾, Tadeusz Pustelny²⁾, Tadeusz Stacewicz³⁾, Jacek Wojtas¹⁾

1) Military University of Technology, ul. S. Kaliskiego 2, 00-908 Warsaw (zbielecki@wat.edu.pl)
2) Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, ul. Krzywoustego 2, 44-100 Gliwice,
3) Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Hoża 69, 00-681 Warsaw.

Abstract
The paper presents analyses of current research projects connected with explosive material sensors. Sensors are described assigned to X and γ radiation, optical radiation sensors, as well as detectors applied in gas chromatography, electrochemical and chemical sensors. Furthermore, neutron techniques and magnetic resonance devices were analyzed. Special attention was drawn to optoelectronic sensors of explosive devices.

Keywords: Explosive device sensors, detection of explosive materials.

Full paper (PDF, 1332kB)

contents

MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF DYNAMIC WORK CONDITIONS IN THE MEASURING CHAMBER OF AN AIR GAUGE

Czeslaw Janusz Jermak¹⁾, Andrzej Spyra²⁾, Miroslaw Rucki¹⁾

1) Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Mechanical Technology, pl. M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 5, 60-965 Poznan, Poland, (cz.jermak@interia.pl, miroslaw.rucki@put.poznan.pl)
2) Opole University of Technology, Department of Thermal Engineering and Industrial Facilities, Mikolajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland, (a.spyra@po.opole.pl)

Abstract
The goal of the proposed computational model was to evaluate the dynamical properties of air gauges in order to exploit them in such industrial applications as in-process control, form deviation measurement, dynamical measurement. The model is based on Reynolds equations complemented by the k-ε turbulence model. The boundary conditions were set in different areas (axis of the chamber, side surfaces, inlet pipeline and outlet cross-section) as Dirichlet's and Neumann's ones. The TDMA method was applied and the efficiency of the calculations was increased due to the "line-by-line" procedure. The proposed model proved to be accurate and useful for non-stationary two-dimensional flow through the air gauge measuring chamber.

Keywords: air gauges, dynamic measurement, in-process control.

Full paper (PDF, 545kB)

contents

VARIABLE-FREQUENCY PRONY METHOD IN THE ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL POWER QUALITY

Jarosław Zygarlicki¹⁾, Janusz Mroczka²⁾

1) Opole University of Technology, Institute of Power Engineering, Prószkowska 76, 45-758 Opole, Poland (j.zygarlicki@po.opole.pl, +48 77 40 00 547)
2) Wroclaw University of Technology, Chair of Electronic and Photonic Metrology, Bolesława Prusa 53/55, 50-317 Wrocław, Poland (janusz.mroczka@pwr.wroc.pl, +48 71 320 62 32)

Abstract
The article presents a new modification of the the least squares Prony method. The so-called variable-frequency Prony method can be a useful tool for estimating parameters of sinusoidal components, which, in the analyzed signal, are characterized by time-dependent frequencies. The authors propose use of the presented method for testing the quality of electric energy. It allows observation of phenomena which, when using traditional methods, are averaged in the analysis window. The proposed modification of least squares Prony method is based on introduction and specific selection of a frequency matrix. This matrix represents frequencies of estimated components and their variability in time.

Keywords: Power quality, Prony method, harmonics, measurements.

Full paper (PDF, 865kB)

contents

MEASUREMENT ASPECTS OF GENOME PATTERN INVESTIGATIONS - HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION

Andrzej Pułka, Adam Milik

Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Institute of Electronics, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland (andrzej.pulka@polsl.pl, amilik@polsl.pl +48 32 237 1644)

Abstract
The work presented in the paper concerns a very important problem of searching for string alignments. The authors show that the problem of a genome pattern alignment could be interpreted and defined as a measuring task, where the distance between two (or more) patterns is investigated. The problem originates from modern computation biology. Hardware-based implementations have been driving out software solutions in the field recently. The complex programmable devices have become very commonly applied. The paper introduces a new, optimized approach based on the Smith-Waterman dynamic programming algorithm. The original algorithm is modified in order to simplify data-path processing and take advantage of the properties offered by FPGA devices. The results obtained with the proposed methodology allow to reduce the size of the functional block and radically speed up the processing time. This approach is very competitive compared with other related works.

Keywords: DNA-tiles, pattern recognition, pipelining, parallelism and concurrency, dynamic programming, systolic arrays, computational methods.

Full paper (PDF, 410kB)

contents

A FAULT DIAGNOSIS METHOD FOR SUBSTATION GROUNDING GRID BASED ON THE SQUARE-WAVE FREQUENCY DOMAIN MODEL

Peng-He Zhang¹⁾, Jun-Jia He¹⁾, Dan-Dan Zhang¹⁾, Lan-Min Wu²⁾

1) College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (zzpphh2004@126.com,+86 13871123500)
2) Shan Xi Province Electrical Power Company, Taiyuan 03000, ShanXi Province (389619845@qq.com)

Abstract
Current methods of fault diagnosis for the grounding grid using DC or AC are limited in accuracy and cannot be used to identify the locations of the faults. In this study, a new method of fault diagnosis for substation grounding grids is proposed using a square-wave. A frequency model of the grounding system is constructed by analyzing the frequency characteristics of the soil and the grounding conductors into which two different frequency square-wave sources are injected. By analyzing and comparing the corresponding information of the surface potentials of the output signals, the faults of the grounding grid can be diagnosed and located. Our method is verified by software simulation, scale model experiments and field experiments.

Keywords: square-wave, frequency characteristics, grounding grid, fault diagnosis.

Full paper (PDF, 560kB)

contents

STIMULUS WITH LIMITED BAND OPTIMIZATION FOR ANALOGUE CIRCUIT TESTING

Tomasz Golonek, Piotr Jantos, Jerzy Rutkowski

Silesian University of Technology, Faculty Of Automatic Control, Electronics And Computer Science, Institute of Electronics, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland (tgolonek@polsl.pl, +48 32 237 2717)

Abstract
The paper presents an analogue circuit testing method that engages the analysis of the time response to a nonperiodic stimulus specialized for the verification of selected specifications. The decision about the current circuit diagnostic state depends on an amplitude spectrum decomposition of the time response measured during the test. A shape of the test excitation spectrum is optimized with the use of a differential evolution algorithm and it allows for achieving maximum fault coverage and the optimal conditions for fault isolation. Genotypes of the evolutionary system encode the amplitude spectrum of candidates for testing stimuli by means of rectangle frequency windows with amplitudes determined evolutionarily.

Keywords: analogue circuit testing, faults isolation, evolutionary computations, amplitude spectrum.

Full paper (PDF, 806kB)

contents

ASSESSMENT OF KINEMATICS OF SPORTSMEN PERFORMING STANDING LONG JUMP IN 2 DIFFERENT DYNAMICAL CONDITIONS

Lenka Szerdiová, Dušan Šimšik, Zlatica Dolná

Department of Automation, Control and Human Machine Interactions Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Technical University of Kosice, Letna 9, 042 00, Kosice, Slovak Republic (lenka.szerdiova@tuke.sk, dusan.simsik@tuke.sk, zlatica.dolna@tuke.sk, +421 556022140)

Abstract
This paper presents results of the study devoted to analysis of impact of upper extremities' momentum on the jump length and analysis of selected kinematic data changes during the standing long jump. Four young sportsmen participated in the initial study. They have performed standing long jump in two measuring conditions: with and without arms swinging. Motion was captured using a 3D opto-electronic camera system SMART (BTS) and selected kinematic data were evaluated using software packages and data processing: trajectory of body centre of gravity (COG), velocity of COG, maximal vertical distance of COG, take-off angle together with momentum of upper extremities were analyzed. The data were statistically evaluated using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Statistical significance of the kinematic data and jump length were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc test (p<0.05) in Statistics toolbox of Matlab program. Statistically significant differences were assessed within intraindividual and intraclass comparison of data.

Keywords: kinematics, dynamics, standing long jump, human motion analysis, sports.

Full paper (PDF, 2622kB)

contents

A CONCEPT OF A PASSIVE RADAR WITH QUADRATURE MICROWAVE PHASE DISCRIMINATORS

Adam Konrad Rutkowski

Military University of Technology, Faculty of Electronics, Institute of Radioelectronics, ul. Kaliskiego 2, 00-908 Warszawa, Poland, (arutkowski@wat.edu.pl, +48 22 6 837 629, fax: +48 6 837 461)

Abstract
Passive radar does not have its own emitter. It uses so-called signals of opportunity emitted by non-cooperative illuminators. During the detection of reflected signals, a direct signal from a non-cooperative emitter is used as the reference signal. Detection of electromagnetic echoes is, in present day radars, performed by finding the maximum of the cross ambiguity function. This function is based on the multiplication of the received signal and the reference signal. Detection of echoes by means of a quadrature microwave phase discriminator QMPD was proposed in the work as an alternative solution for ambiguity function evaluation. This discriminator carries out vectorial summing of the received and the reference signals. The summing operations in QMPD are carried out with the aid of microwave elements and without the use of expensive digital signal processors. Definitions of the phase and phase difference of the so-called simple signals and noise signals were described. A proposal of a passive radar equipped with several independent quadrature microwave phase discriminators was presented. Ideas of algorithms of object detection and of the distance-to-object estimation designed for this radar have been also sketched.

Keywords: passive radar, instantaneous frequency measurement, IFM, microwave phase discriminator, phase of noise signal.

Full paper (PDF, 320kB)

105

contents

DAC TESTING USING IMPULSE SIGNALS

Josef Vedral, Pavel Fexa

CTU Prague, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Department of Measurement, Technicka 2, 16627, Prague 6, Czech Republic, (fexap1@fel.cvut.cz , +420 22 435 2201, vedral@fel.cvut.cz , +420 22 435 2182)

Abstract
The Multi-Tone (MT) signal with uniform amplitudes can be used for DAC testing. This paper shows an easier way to generate a MT signal using several impulse signals. The article also analyzes qualities of methods for testing the dynamic parameters of Digital to Analog Converters using an impulse signal. The MT, Damped Sine Wave (DSW) and Sinx/x (SINC) signals will be used as the source for these tests. The Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) and Signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) are evaluated in the frequency domain and they are modified using the Crest Factor (CF) correction and compared with the standard results of the Sine Wave FFT test. The first advantage of the test using an impulse signal is that you need fewer input parameters to create the band signal for testing the DAC. The second one is to reduce the testing time using a band signal in comparison with multiple tests using a single sine wave.

Keywords: DAC, ENOB, SINAD, FFT test, Crest Factor, Damped Sine Wave, SINC signal, Multi-Tone signal.

Full paper (PDF, 365kB)

115

contents

QUANTIZATION ERROR IN TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERS

Łukasz Zaworski^1,2), Dariusz Chaberski¹⁾, Marcin Kowalski¹⁾, Marek Zieliński¹⁾

1) University of Nicolaus Copernicus, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Grudziądzka 1/5, 87-100 Toruń, Poland (zawor@fizyka.umk.pl, daras@fizyka.umk.pl, markow@fizyka.umk.pl, marziel@fizyka.umk.pl)
2) Apator S.A, ul. Żółkiewskiego 21/29, 87-100 Toruń, Poland

Abstract
Methods of time interval measurement can be divided into asynchronous and synchronous approaches. It is well known that in asynchronous methods of time-interval measurement, uncertainty can be reduced by using statistical averaging. The motivation of this paper is an investigation of averaging in time interval measurements, especially in a synchronous measurement. In this article, authors are considering the method of averaging to reduce the influence of quantization error on measurement uncertainty in synchronous time-interval measurement systems, when dispersion of results, caused by noise is present. A mathematical model of averaging, which is followed by the results of numerical simulations of averaging of measurement series is presented. The analysis of results leads to the conclusion that in particular conditions the influence of the quantization error on measurement uncertainty can be minimized by statistical averaging, similar to asynchronous measurements.

Keywords: time interval measurement, time-to-digital-converter, quantization error, averaging.

Full paper (PDF, 474kB)

123

contents

INFLUENCE OF THE GMDH NEURAL NETWORK DATA PREPARATION METHOD ON UTC(PL) CORRECTION PREDICTION RESULTS

Wiesław Miczulski, Łukasz Sobolewski

University of Zielona Góra, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Telecommunications, Institute of Electrical Metrology, ul. Podgórna 50, 65-246 Zielona Góra, Poland (w.miczulski@ime.uz.zgora.pl, +48 68 328 2390; l.sobolewski@weit.uz.zgora.pl, +48 68 328 2390)

Abstract
The article presents results of the influence of the GMDH (Group Method of Data Handling) neural network input data preparation method on the results of predicting corrections for the Polish timescale UTC(PL). Prediction of corrections was carried out using two methods, time series analysis and regression. As appropriate to these methods, the input data was prepared based on two time series, ts1 and ts2. The implemented research concerned the designation of the prediction errors on certain days of the forecast and the influence of the quantity of data on the prediction error. The obtained results indicate that in the case of the GMDH neural network the best quality of forecasting for UTC(PL) can be obtained using the time-series analysis method. The prediction errors obtained did not exceed the value of ± 8 ns, which confirms the possibility of maintaining the Polish timescale at a high level of compliance with the UTC.

Keywords: GMDH neural network, national timescale, atomic clock, time series analysis.

Full paper (PDF, 415kB)

133

contents

THE EFFECT OF HUMIDITY ON THE STABILITY OF LTCC PRESSURE SENSORS

Marina Santo Zarnik^1-4), Darko Belavic^1-4)

1) HIPOT-RR, Šentpeter 18, 8222 Otočec, Slovenia
2) Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
3) Centre of Excellence NAMASTE, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
4) IN.Medica, Levičnikova 34, 8310 Šentjernej, Slovenia (marina.santo@ijs.si; darko.belavic@ijs.si)

Abstract
LTCC-based pressure sensors are promising candidates for wet-wet applications in which the effect of the surrounding media on the sensor's characteristics is of key importance. The effect of humidity on the sensor's stability can be a problem, particularly in the case of capacitive sensors. A differential mode of operation can be a good solution, but manufacturing the appropriate sensing capacitors remains a major challenge. In the case of piezoresistive sensors the influence of humidity is less critical, but it still should be considered as an important parameter when designing sensors for low-pressure ranges. In this paper we discuss the stability of the sensors' offset characteristics, which was inspected closely using experimental and numerical analyses.

Keywords: Thick-film piezoresistive sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, offset stability, relative humidity.

Full paper (PDF, 1403kB)

141

contents

MOTION VECTOR ESTIMATION OF A STEREOVISION CAMERA WITH INERTIAL SENSORS

Paweł Pełczyński, Bartosz Ostrowski, Dariusz Rzeszotarski

Technical University of Łódź, Institute of Electronics, Wólczańska 211/215, 90-924 Łódź, Poland (pawel.pelczynski@p.lodz.pl, +48 42 631 26 17, bartosz.ostrowski@p.lodz.pl, dariusz.rzeszotarski@p.lodz.pl)

The aim of the presented work was the development of a tracking algorithm for a stereoscopic camera setup equipped with an additional inertial sensor. The input of the algorithm consists of the image sequence, angular velocity and linear acceleration vectors measured by the inertial sensor. The main assumption of the project was fusion of data streams from both sources to obtain more accurate ego-motion estimation. An electronic module for recording the inertial sensor data was built. Inertial measurements allowed a coarse estimation of the image motion field that has reduced its search range by standard image-based methods. Continuous tracking of the camera motion has been achieved (including moments of image information loss). Results of the presented study are being implemented in a currently developed obstacle avoidance system for visually impaired pedestrians.

Keywords: passive navigation, motion vector, disparity, feature points.

Full paper (PDF, 876kB)

151

contents

SIMULATION TESTS OF THE METHOD FOR DETERMINING A CAD MODEL OF FREE-FORM SURFACE DETERMINISTIC DEVIATIONS

Małgorzata Poniatowska, Andrzej Werner

Bialystok University of Technology, Division of Production Engineering, Wiejska 45C, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland (mponiat@pb.edu.pl, +48 85 746 9261, anwer@pb.edu.pl)

Abstract
Geometric deviations of free-form surfaces are attributed to many phenomena that occur during machining, both systematic (deterministic) and random in character. Measurements of free-form surfaces are performed with the use of numerically controlled CMMs on the basis of a CAD model, which results in obtaining coordinates of discrete measurement points. The spatial coordinates assigned at each measurement point include both a deterministic component and a random component at different proportions. The deterministic component of deviations is in fact the systematic component of processing errors, which is repetitive in nature. A CAD representation of deterministic geometric deviations might constitute the basis for completing a number of tasks connected with measurement and processing of free-form surfaces. The paper presents the results of testing a methodology of determining CAD models by estimating deterministic geometric deviations. The research was performed on simulated deviations superimposed on the CAD model of a nominal surface. Regression analysis, an iterative procedure, spatial statistics methods, and NURBS modelling were used for establishing the model.

Keywords: coordinate measurement, geometric deviation, free-form surface, regression analysis, CAD model.

Full paper (PDF, 1162kB)

159

contents

LOW VOLTAGE INTEGRATED CONVERTER FOR WASTE HEAT THEREMOELECTRIC HARVESTERS

Piotr Dziurdzia, Mariusz Mysiura, Adam Gołda

AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland (Piotr.Dziurdzia@agh.edu.pl)

Abstract
The paper deals with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) facilitating voltage conversion in thermoelectric energy harvesters. The chip is intended to be used to boost up the voltage coming from a thermoelectric module to a level that is required by electronic circuits constituting wireless sensor nodes. The designed charge pump does not need any external parts for its proper operation because all the capacitors, switches and oscillator are integrated on the common silicon die. The topography of the main functional blocks and post-layout simulations of the designed integrated circuit are shown in the article.

Keywords: charge pump, DC-DC conversion, thermoelectric conversion, energy harvesting.

Full paper (PDF, 1000kB)