Search results for "Instrumentation"
showing 10 items of 4914 documents
NB PLC and Software Defined Networking for Smart Grid Applications
2017
During the last years, the installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expected diffusion of Electrical Vehicles (EVs), is increasing the complexity of the distribution grid, making the management of the grid operated by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) more difficult. The Smart Grid approach tries to provide a response to these troubles, by means of a strong interaction between the power grid and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructures. The drawback of this approach is an increase in the management effort of the ICT infrastructures, for which the DSO are not prepared. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an approach developed to manage complex ICT…
A PC-based low cost impedance and gain-phase analyzer
2008
Abstract In this paper, we present a practical and inexpensive impedance/gain-phase analyzer (IGPA), which is very useful in the design of electronic circuits. This instrument allows the Bode diagram of any network or electronic circuit with an input and an output to be obtained, even though this implementation was not previously known. It can also obtain the module and phase diagrams of any impedance separately. The device under test (DUT) is connected to a personal computer (PC) via the parallel port by means of an electronic circuit implemented for this purpose. The results are shown on the screen of the PC and can be accessible for use in any further operation. The instrument operates i…
Medium Voltage Smart Grid: Experimental Analysis of Secondary Substation Narrow Band Power Line Communication
2013
This paper is focused on the possibility of employing narrow band power line communication (PLC) in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. The topic is investigated by means of both simulations and experimental tests, which were carried out in the distribution network of Ustica Island. In detail, a two-way MV communication was tested between two secondary substations connected by an MV cable power line. Each substation has a by-pass connection at MV bus-bars and an MV/LV oil filled power transformer. In this paper, the MV and the PLC systems under test are described and the experimental tests are presented, which were carried out to evaluate the parameters of the simulation model. The a…
Test bench for coupling and shielding magnetic field
2016
This paper describes a test bench for training purposes, which uses a magnetic field generator to couple this magnetic field to a victim circuit. It can be very useful to test for magnetic susceptibility as well. The magnetic field generator consists of a board, which generates a variable current that flows into a printed circuit board with spiral tracks (noise generator). The victim circuit consists of a coaxial cable concentric with the spiral tracks and its generated magnetic field. The coaxial cable is part of a circuit which conducts a signal produced by a signal generator and a resistive load. In the paper three cases are studied. First, the transmitted signal from the signal generato…
Compact instrumentation for radiation tolerance test of flash memories in space environment
2010
Aim of this work is the description of a test equipment, designed to be integrated on board of a microsatellite, able to investigate the radiation tolerance of non-volatile memory arrays in a real flight experiment. An FPGA-based design was adopted to preserve a high flexibility degree. Besides standard Program/Read/Erase functions, additional features such as failure data screening and latch-up protection have been implemented. The instrument development phase generated, as a by-product, a non-rad-hard version of the instrument that allowed performing in-situ experiments using 60Co and 10 MeV Boron irradiation facilities on Ground. Preliminary measurement results are reported to show the i…
Disturbing Load Detection in Three-Wire and Four-Wire Systems Based on Novel Nonactive Powers From IEEE 1459-2000
2010
This paper presents an enhanced approach for the detection of disturbing loads in distorted and/or unbalanced three-phase power systems, both three-wire and four-wire. It is based on the IEEE Std. 1459-2000 effective apparent power resolution, and it requires only the separation of the fundamental components of voltage and current from the remaining harmonic content. In this paper, the formulation of the novel approach is given, and its effectiveness is discussed by means of several simulation tests, which were carried out on a simple test system.
A virtual instrument for the measurement of IEEE Std 1459-2000 power quantities
2006
In this paper, the authors present a PC-based instrument for the measurement of electrical-power quantities defined in IEEE Std. 1459. The instrument is based on a time-domain technique for the detection of the fundamental and harmonic components of voltages and currents. The time-domain strategy was originally developed by the authors for three-phase, three-wire systems. In that paper, the strategy had been extended to both three-phase, four-wire and single-phase systems. Simulation tests were carried out to assess the uncertainty contribution of the proposed strategy in the absence of the measurement transducers. Moreover, the accuracy of the PC-based instrument with its transducers was e…
An harmonic test condition for the metrological characterization and the operating principle identification of reactive static meters
2008
This paper faces the problem of the metrological characterization of the static meters for reactive energy in the presence of harmonic distortion. Starting from the only available accuracy test condition in the presence of harmonics introduced in the Standards for active static meters, an experimental approach is proposed for the verification of such meters in the presence of harmonic distortion, as well as for the individuation of their operating principle. A theoretical validation of the obtained results is presented by means of a comparison with a standard and a commercial static meter with a known operating principle.
Static meters for the reactive energy in the presence of harmonics: an experimental metrological characterization
2009
Electricity metering plays a crucial role for all the commercial transactions on the energy market. Thus, an accurate evaluation of the performance of the electricity metering equipment is required not only in the reference operating conditions but also in the presence of disturbances affecting the power systems. As regards this matter, this paper analyzes the main aspects related to the metrological characterization of the static meters for the reactive energy in the presence of harmonic distortion. Attention is focused not only to the meters covered by the current standards but also to the meters of better accuracy and to the reference standard meters. The analysis is supported by several…
The Use of Accelerometers and Gyroscopes to Estimate Hip and Knee Angles on Gait Analysis
2014
In this paper the performance of a sensor system, which has been developed to estimate hip and knee angles and the beginning of the gait phase, have been investigated. The sensor system consists of accelerometers and gyroscopes. A new algorithm was developed in order to avoid the error accumulation due to the gyroscopes drift and vibrations due to the ground contact at the beginning of the stance phase. The proposed algorithm have been tested and compared to some existing algorithms on over-ground walking trials with a commercial device for assisted gait. The results have shown the good accuracy of the angles estimation, also in high angle rate movement.