Scour, or the erosion of bed material is a major cause of bridge failure across the world. Monitoring scour levels at bridge foundations reduces the risk of failure through timely condition-based maintenance. This pap...
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Scour, or the erosion of bed material is a major cause of bridge failure across the world. Monitoring scour levels at bridge foundations reduces the risk of failure through timely condition-based maintenance. This paper evaluates the use of photoelectric sensors for scour detection through laboratory studies and subsequent field investigation. Two types of photoelectric sensors, namely diffusive-reflective and through-beam, were independently investigated. The sensors were installed at six distinct depths on a simulated bridge pier in a laboratory flume. Scour resulting from hydrodynamic action triggered the sensors at different levels, enabling scour depth detection. An inverse response from the sensors detected scour refill. Following successful laboratory tests, a photoelectric scour-sensing prototype was installed in a small creek in August 2019 which continued to monitor scour until April 2022. The prototype response confirmed laboratory results and continues to perform well under various field conditions such as rain, debris, and snow. The very low-cost system required minimal power and bandwidth, and the sensing component was robust to flow parameters. Long-term field studies are required to evaluate their susceptibility to biofouling and develop biofouling countermeasures.
The advancement in wireless communications requires the integration of multiple radios into a single platform to maximize connectivity. In this paper, the design process of reconfigurable antennas is discussed. Reconf...
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The advancement in wireless communications requires the integration of multiple radios into a single platform to maximize connectivity. In this paper, the design process of reconfigurable antennas is discussed. Reconfigurable antennas are proposed to cover different wireless services that operate over a wide frequency range. They show significant promise in addressing new system requirements. They exhibit the ability to modify their geometries and behavior to adapt to changes in surrounding conditions. Reconfigurable antennas can deliver the same throughput as a multiantenna system. They use dynamically variable and adaptable single-antenna geometry without increasing the real estate required to accommodate multiple antennas. The optimization of reconfigurable antenna design and operation by removing unnecessary redundant switches to alleviate biasing issues and improve the system's performance is discussed. Controlling the antenna reconfiguration by software, using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or microcontrollers is introduced herein. The use of Neural Networks and its integration with graph models on programmable platforms and its effect on the operation of reconfigurable antennas is presented. Finally, the applications of reconfigurable antennas for cognitive radio, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) channels, and space applications are highlighted.
Physical computing, making, tinkering and Computational Thinking (CT) are frequently applied to promote Computer Science (CS) and attract the attention of young people. In recent years, STEM (Science, Technology, Engi...
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ISBN:
(纸本)9783030902285;9783030902278
Physical computing, making, tinkering and Computational Thinking (CT) are frequently applied to promote Computer Science (CS) and attract the attention of young people. In recent years, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has received considerable support from schools, parents, and communities. The combination of physical computing with STEM education can improve CT as part of CS or informatics/computing education and can be considered as an essential skill for the workforce of the 21st century. Physical computing helps children build connections between the real world and programming, while giving them something exciting to focus on. The goal of this study is to demonstrate how a summer school on physical computing and STEM education including CT contributes to shaping girls' attitudes and their acceptance of technology. To examine how the technology acceptance factors are related to the girls' behavioural intention and attitude change towards the use of microcontrollers, an adaptation of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was applied. The survey was conducted with 21 girls, 11 to 15 years old, both before and after summer school. The results showed that carefully planned activities on mini-projects with purposeful support of lecturers reduce the technological anxiety and contributes to the girls' intention to use technology in the future. The implications of these results can be used to develop various supporting physical computing activities in the school community. The methodology, examples and real stories of success of girls in computing help teachers to promote CS education in schools.
With the continual increase of senior citizens more resources are required for providing care centers services. The quality of such services can be enhanced by remotely monitoring senior citizens living independently ...
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ISBN:
(纸本)9781467392204
With the continual increase of senior citizens more resources are required for providing care centers services. The quality of such services can be enhanced by remotely monitoring senior citizens living independently in their homes. The monitoring can be performed using various types of sensors, but the solution presented in this paper is simple, cost effective as well as easy to implement compared to most of the existing systems. The proposed system uses capacitive based sensor to monitor the daily activities of an elderly living alone. The monitoring system works on the principle of measuring the disturbance in the electromagnetic field when a human body approaches the sensor. This proposed sensor is fundamentally based on electric field sensing using sensors are in the form of thin planar electrodes. The arduino-based board in combination with CapSense library acquires the sensed data. The detection system is embedded on the care-center floor surface, making the system to be non-intrusive as well as maintaining the privacy of the user. The data so obtained is perceived as information on a PC, which can be used in generating an automatic alarm system. A notification can be sent to the cell phones of the caregivers for assistance. The important thing in the alarms is that no user input is required from the person under monitoring and no devices need to be worn. A prototype sensor is described in detail and preliminary results are presented based on simulation and experimental procedure.
The main goal of this paper is to propose a simple and low-cost microcontroller-based laser communication link. To demonstrate that laser communication is a viable and efficient means for transmitting data, a transcei...
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ISBN:
(纸本)9781509009961
The main goal of this paper is to propose a simple and low-cost microcontroller-based laser communication link. To demonstrate that laser communication is a viable and efficient means for transmitting data, a transceiver capable of transfer rates of approximately 0.7 kB/s is prototyped. The hardware used for the transceiver consists of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) lasers, photodiodes, and the arduino Mega 2560 which is an open-source and easy-to-use microcontroller-based platform intended for making interactive projects. A Graphical UserInterface (GUI) utilizing the Meteor framework is developed to facilitate the communication between the user and transceiver. The developed transceiver prototype is capable of receiving and transmitting data at significant ranges with no loss of information. Furthermore, stable and secure communication is achieved through several mechanisms developed to manage simultaneous sending and receiving, in addition to detecting physical interruptions during transmission. The design setup is scalable and with further development can be transformed into a fiber-optic transmission system. Due to its nature, laser communication is very secure and can provide a safe and private communication link. Overall, this paper demonstrates how laser communication can be an economical, durable, and effective means of information transfer.
Railway safety remains a critical concern, particularly at railway crossings where the convergence of vehicles and trains poses inherent risks. This project proposes a comprehensive solution utilizing LoRa (long-range...
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ISBN:
(纸本)9798331540661;9798331540678
Railway safety remains a critical concern, particularly at railway crossings where the convergence of vehicles and trains poses inherent risks. This project proposes a comprehensive solution utilizing LoRa (long-range) communication modules, infrared (IR) sensors, and ultrasonic sensors to develop an advanced train tracking and railway gate safety system. The system architecture comprisesa transmitter (TX) side and a receiver (RX) side, each with specialized functionalities. On the TX side, IR and ultrasonic sensors are employed to detect the presence of an approaching train and accurately measure its distance from the railway gate. These sensors continuously monitor the railway track, providing real-time train movement and proximity data. Data collected by the sensors are processed by the arduino Uno microcontroller and transmitted wirelessly to the RX side using LoRa modules, ensuring reliable long-range communication even in remote areas. On the RX side, received data are analyzed to trigger appropriate responses to enhance railway safety. Upon detecting an approaching train, the system activates a buzzer to alert pedestrians and motorists of the impending hazard. Furthermore, utilizing the relay, the system autonomously controls the opening and closing of the railway gate based on the train's proximity. Advanced algorithms govern gate operation, ensuring seamless coordination with train movement to minimize the risk of collisions oraccidents.
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates innovations in safety and efficiency. This paper introduces a smart speed controller system for EVs, combining LiDAR technology, traffic light data, and real-ti...
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