CyRIC’s using NI Platforms...Control inputs/outputs and sensors were tested using the control...
Transcript of CyRIC’s using NI Platforms...Control inputs/outputs and sensors were tested using the control...
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CyRIC’s Research and Innovation Use Cases using NI Platforms
Dr. Panayiotis PhilimisCEO
CyRIC, Cyprus Research & Innovation Center
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RampCo: Accessibility without limits
• FP7-SME project, funded under FP7
programme
• CyRIC is coordinating the project, which
includes 9 additional partners from Italy,
Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and
UK
Main objective is the design and development of an Innovative
Portable Traction Ramp for Automatic Ascending and
Descending of Wheelchair Users
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RampCo: Brief Description
▪ RampCo allows wheelchair users to automatically ascend and descend stairs without any
assistance. It enables easy assembly and disassembly, folding and transferring to other sites.
▪ This disruptive technology provides universal accessibility for wheelchair users in various kinds of
staircases as well as elevated surfaces without stairs.
▪ This is the first technological step in history of advancement of accessibility providing every
building owner the opportunity to welcome wheelchair users in their premises without any
interventions in their buildings.
▪ It can be operated on web platform and mobile application. By using geolocalization data it notifies
the user of the exact location of the system and has the ability to pre-book RampCo online.
▪ It allows the owner to get remote access to the control system of RampCo for monitoring and
controlling purposes, by providing an instant remote access in order to solve functional problems that
might occur.
▪ NI products are used for the control system, while the control program was created using the NI
LabVIEW.
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RampCo: Design
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RampCo: Prototyping
Track belt drive system
Control system
Deployable support surface
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RampCo: Control system
The RampCo control system is responsible for:
▪ Controlling the cart operation (ascending,
descending, user inputs)
▪ Ensuring that all operations are conducted in safety
(safety sensors and routines)
▪ Communicating with the user (on-board control panel,
remote control, send information regarding operation
and faults to be used in the Mobile Application)
▪ Communicating with the installer (building operator)
to monitor the RampCo status and receive
notifications whenever a problem appears.
Control System Architecture
(Controller-Sensors-Actuators)
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RampCo: Use of NI products in RampCoThe control system of RampCo includes the NI myRIO controller and all necessary sensors for handling
the complete operation. It is responsible for controlling all system motors and thus for interfacing with them
through the dedicated motor drivers. The control system continuously monitors the user input (up/down
buttons, emergency button, etc.) before initiating the corresponding control procedures.
The control program was created using the NI LabVIEW software.
The prototype control system ensures that all operations are conducted in safety (safety sensors and
routines). The control system continuously monitors the user input (up/down buttons, emergency button,
etc.) before initiating the corresponding control procedures. During operation, it constantly receives input
from the sensors (limit switches, inclinometer, etc.) and issues appropriate commands to the actuators
(traction motors, balancing motors, flap motors). At the same time it collects all information required for the
web and mobile applications.NI myRIO ports
10 (8 single ended 0-5V and 2 differential ±10V)
Aggregate sample rate 500kS/s
Resolution 12 bits
6 (4 single ended 0-5V and 2 differential ±10V)
Aggregate maximum update rates 345 kS/s for the 4 single ended and
345 kS/s for the 2 differential
Resolution 12 bits
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5 V compatible LVTTL input; 3.3 V LVTTL output
Stereo (can be used for safety signals and instructions)
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RampCo: Control System Design - Schematics
Signals are directed to NI-myRIOmicrocontroller either directly or through an interface circuit
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RampCo: NI LabVIEW
▪ The graphical programming syntax of LabVIEW was particularly efficient in creating the control
program.
▪ For the specifics of the logic decisions and sequence of actions, the various blocks available in
LabVIEW (Numeric, Boolean, Timing, etc.) were placed and graphically interconnected in the VI.
▪ The control program is deployed on the myRIO controller to be used as the start-up application so that
it runs automatically when the controller is powered-on.
▪ The control system continuously monitors the user input (up/down buttons, emergency button, etc.)
before initiating the corresponding control procedures.
▪ During operation of the system it constantly
receives input from the sensors (limit
switches, inclinometer, etc.) and issues
appropriate commands to the actuators
(traction motors, balancing motors, flap
motors).
▪ Information required for the online service
(alarms, report data) is also collected.
Overview of the Program Structure
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RampCo: Testing & validation of control system
▪ Power supply. The main power supply and operation of the safety buttons was first tested
▪ Electronic boards to confirm their operation (traction motors, balancing motors, flap motors, sensor
measurements, etc.)
▪ Kinematic tests to confirm that cables were appropriately attached to the system without
interferences with the moving parts.
▪ Control inputs/outputs and sensors were tested using the control software (LabView).
▪ Individual modules of the control program were tested on the integrated system, including traction
control and balancing control.
▪ Overall control system testing (hardware and software) to confirm that the system appropriately
responds to the user input (remote control buttons and operation buttons) and sensory input. The
system was found to reliably and safely perform the required sequences of actions (ascending,
descending, etc.)
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Why NI in RampCo
▪ Relatively compact size, suitable for our application.
▪ Flexibility in the design. Being RampCo a research project, requirements
and approach changes through the development and testing phases. NI
products offer maximum flexibility for quick reconfiguration of the system. This
is essential, especially for the early prototypes of the traction and balance
systems of RampCo.
▪ Support. Important to be able get support from NI and the NI Community.
▪ Future product development. Possibility to use the developed prototype as a
basis for the design of an industrial product using other NI platforms.
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Using NI products for pervasive drinking water quality analysis
WaterSpy
High sensitivity, portable photonic device for pervasive water quality analysis
• Research and Innovation project, funded under EU’s
H2020 programme
• CyRIC is coordinating the project, which includes 8
additional partners from Italy, Greece, Poland,
Switzerland, Austria and Germany
• Started on November 2016, with a duration of 3 years
Main objective is to develop a high accuracy, portable, mid-IR photonics-based
water quality analysis device, suitable for online, field measurements
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Pervasive and on-line water quality monitoring data is critical for detecting environmental
pollution and reacting in the best possible way to avoid human health hazards. Nevertheless:
• It’s difficult to gather pervasive and on-line water quality monitoring data, for most
contaminants mentioned in EU Directives on water quality
• The concentration of contaminants is very low and thus hard to detect
• Mid-IR absorption spectroscopy is powerful tool that could assist in the development of
online instruments for water quality measurements. Unfortunately, water itself is a very
strong absorber of infrared light and special techniques have to be applied
• Water utilities, public authorities and regulators rely heavily on frequent sampling and
laboratory analysis. This is time-consuming and expensive
The Challenges
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WaterSpy approach and objectives• Develop compact photonics technology, capable of identifying selected heterotrophic
bacterial cells in the water. Specificity and sensitivity levels will respect regulatory
requirements
• Develop water quality analysis photonics technology suitable for inline field
measurements operating in the mid-infrared region (6-10 μm)
• The solution is based on the combined use of advanced Quantum Cascade Lasers
employing the Vernier effect and novel, fibre-coupled, fast and sensitive Higher
Operation Temperature (HOT) photodetectors
AT probe and custom-built
ultrasound pre-concentration accessoryPhotodetectors
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WaterSpy approach and objectives
• Targeted analytes will be specific heterotrophic bacterial cells. Several novel
techniques are employed for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio
• The device will require a couple of hours for a full sample analysis. Current
techniques require up to 3 days in some cases
• The WaterSpy technology will be integrated, for validation purposes, to a
water quality monitoring platform, in the form of a portable device add-on
Salmonella P. aeruginosa E. coli
The TRITON platform
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Use of NI products in WaterSpy
• A NI solution has been adopted for the development of the WaterSpy device’s main processing unit.
• The main processing unit is responsible for:
Communicating with the TRITON platform
Controlling the QC Lasers and modulating them
Acquiring data from the system’s photodetector
Monitoring the operation of the secondary processors responsible for sample pre-
concentration, sample preparation and microfluidics
• Key requirements:
At least 24-bit, 20kHz ADC for acquiring photodetector data
At least 14-bit AO channels with low settling time (<10μs) for the lasers
Several additional GPIOs
Flexibility for quick modification purposes
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Use of NI products in WaterSpy• Solution adopted for first prototype design: CompactRIO
• Controller: cRIO-9038 (1.33GHz Dual Core, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, 8-slots)
• AI: NI-9238 (50KS/s per channel, 24bit, ±10V, 4 channels) for the photodetector
• AO: NI-9263 (100kS/s per channel simultaneous,16bit, ±10V, 4 channels, 10μs settling time) for the
lasers modulation
• AI: NI-9207 (500S/s, 24bit, ±10V, 16 channels) for less demanding analog signals acquisition (such as
temperature reading)
• AO: NI-9264 (25kS/s/channel, 16bits, ±10V, 16 channels) for less demanding tasks (such as
temperature setpoint)
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Use of NI products in WaterSpy
• DIO: NI-9403 (32 DIO channels, 5V) for various purposes
• Comms: NI-9870 (4-Port, RS232 Serial Interface) for communication with various sub-
modules and the TRITON device
Some of the selected modules
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Why NI in WaterSpy?
• High resolution and sampling rate for the AI. This is needed for the photodetectors
which will be required to record minimum changes in analog signals that rapidly change.
• High resolution, fast AO. Needed for lasers modulation.
• Relatively compact size, suitable for our application.
• Flexibility in the design. Being WaterSpy a research project, requirements and approach
might change. NI products offer maximum flexibility for quick reconfiguration of the system.
This is essential, especially for early prototypes.
• Support. Important to be able get support from NI and the NI Community.
• Future product development. Possibility to use the developed prototype as a basis for
the design of an industrial product using other NI platforms.
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Thank you for your
attention
CyRICThe Cyprus Business Innovation Center