Search results for "circuit"
showing 10 items of 936 documents
Smart cameras on a chip: using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors to create smart vision chips
2020
Abstract: In this chapter, we introduce the fundamental concept of smart cameras on a chip or smart vision chips that simultaneously integrate the same die image capture capability and highly complex image processing. Successive technology scaling has made possible the integration of specific processing elements designed at chip level, at column level or at pixel level. To illustrate this continuous evolution, we survey three different categories of vision chips, exploring first the pioneering works on artificial retinas, then describing the most significant computational chips, and finally presenting the most recent image processing chips able to perform complex algorithms at a high frame …
Monolithic integration of GMR sensors for standard CMOS-IC current sensing
2017
Abstract In this work we report on the development of Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors for off-line current measurements in standard integrated circuits. An ASIC has been specifically designed and fabricated in the well-known AMS-0.35 μm CMOS technology, including the electronic circuitry for sensor interfacing. It implements an oscillating circuit performing a voltage-to-frequency conversion. Subsequently, a fully CMOS-compatible low temperature post-process has been applied for depositing the GMR sensing devices in a full-bridge configuration onto the buried current straps. Sensitivity and resolution of these sensors have been investigated achieving experimental results that show a de…
On the effectiveness of numerical simulation in the prediction of profile distortion in extrusion
2005
Among the so-called ‘traditional processes’, extrusion represents one of the most diffused and utilized, since it permits the production of many industrial parts and raw materials. Of course, relevant knowledge on process mechanics and practice is nowadays available in the technical literature and in properly constructed handbooks. On the other hand, the introduction of finite element simulation, as a powerful analysis and design tool, opened new perspectives. Nowadays many researchers are involved in research tasks aimed at explaining some peculiar extrusion aspects. In this paper the effectiveness of numerical simulation for a complex three-dimensional extrusion process analysis is inves…
Sustainability of the Renewable Energy Extraction Close to the Mediterranean Islands
2017
The aim of this work is to explore the possibility of transitioning a fuel powered island to a renewable powered one. This transition is analyzed for the real MV/LV distribution system of the island of Pantelleria, in the Mediterranean Sea. Particularly, this work is focused on a renewable source nowadays totally unused: wave energy. Thanks to the innovative generator prototype designed by Department of Energy of University of Palermo (Italy), wave energy is able to represent a primary source for the production of electric energy in the Mediterranean islands. The procedures applied in the present article, as well as the main equations used, are the result of previous applications made in di…
Experimental validation of a general model for three phase inverters operating in healthy and faulty modes
2012
The paper presents the experimental verification of a general mathematical model of Voltage Source Inverters (VSI) able to simulate fault conditions and which is also useful for the simulation of fault-tolerant systems for different applications. In general, in the past, the problem of faulty inverters modeling has been addressed specifically by considering faults on the different phases as separate cases. Furthermore, traditional models include only the faulty mode and not the healthy mode, so resulting then not able to predict transient phenomena. The model hereafter presented overcomes this drawback. It was formulated by introducing the concept of “healthy leg binary variables”. Such var…
Coupled Hydraulic and Electronic Regulation for Banki Turbines
2016
Abstract The potential benefit of coupling hydraulic and electronic regulation to maximize the energy production of a Bank turbine in hydraulic plants is analyzed and computed with reference to a specific case. Design criteria of the Banki turbine inside hydraulic plants are first summarized, along with the use of hydraulic regulation in the case of constant water head and variable discharge at the end of aqueducts feeding water distribution systems. Optimal turbine impeller rotational speed is derived and traditional, as well as innovative systems for electricity production according to controlled rotational speed of the generator are presented. The study case at the purification plant nam…
Current-Sensing Technique for Current-Mode Controlled Voltage Regulator Modules
2008
This paper introduces an innovative current-sense technique for voltage regulator modules (VRMs). The proposed method is applied to a multiphase buck converter although the converter topology does not affect the accuracy or effectiveness of the proposed technique. A RC network is parallel connected with the buck converter low-side MOSFET and the voltage signal across the sense capacitor reconstructs the inductor current waveform. The RC technique benefits from all the advantages of the most popular current-sensing technique, the inductor DC resistance current-sense method, cutting off its main disadvantage. The sense network design is oriented to obtain high immunity to noise and a great dy…
Design And Characterization Of Automated Color Sensor System
2017
Abstract The paper presents a color sensor system that can process light reflected from a surface and produce a digital output representing the color of the surface. The end-user interface circuit requires only a 3-bit pseudo flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in place of the conventional/typical design comprising ADC, digital signal processor and memory. For scalability and compactness, the ADC was designed such that only two comparators were required regardless of the number of color/wavelength to be identified. The complete system design has been implemented in hardware (bread board) and fully characterized. The ADC achieved less than 0.1 LSB for both INL and DNL. The experimental r…
Simple Circuit Models for Studying Global Earthing Systems
2007
The paper proposes three simple circuit models for the simulation of the behaviour of a global earthing system during different fault events. The models allow one the evaluation of the maximum earth potential rise at every possible fault location and for every possible fault event. The three considered fault events are: single-line-to-earth fault inside a MV/LV substation, double-earth-fault in a MV line, single-line-to-earth fault inside a HV/MV station. After having illustrated the hypotheses at the basis of the study, the circuit models for the three fault events are presented and a numerical example shows how to use them in order to check the "global safety" of the interconnected earthi…
Quasi-digital conversion for resistive devices: application in GMR-based IC current sensors
2013
Resistive devices, including sensors, are used in a huge range of applications within different scenarios. When a complete system is considered, a quasi-digital output is often recommendable. If the conversion is operated at device level, some problems such as noise disturbs, insertion losses and so on, can be reduced. In this work, we describe a resistance-tofrequency (R-f) converter with a suggested application in low current monitoring by means of GiantMagnetoResistance (GMR) sensors. Specific devices have been designed and microfabricated. The system has been tested by means of discrete components with a PCB. The complete microsystem monolithic integration in a standard CMOS technology …