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Background: Increasing awareness of the importance of evidence-based medicine is demonstrated not only by an increasing number of articles addressing it but also by a specialty-wide evidence-based medicine initiative. The authors critically analyzed the quality of reporting of randomized controlled trials published in this Journal over a 21-year period (1990 to 2010).
Methods: A hand search was conducted, including all issues of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from January of 1990 to December of 2010. All randomized controlled trials published during this time period were identified with the Cochrane decision tree for identification of randomized controlled trials. To assess the quality of reporting, a modification of the checklist of the Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials Statement was used.
Results: Of 7121 original articles published from 1990 to 2010 in the Journal, 159 (2.23 percent) met the Cochrane criteria. A significant increase in the absolute number of randomized controlled trials was seen over the study period (p < 0.0001). The median quality of these trials from 1990 to 2010 was "fair," with a trend toward improved quality of reporting over time (p = 0.127).
Conclusions: A favorable trend is seen with respect to an increased number of published randomized controlled trials in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Adherence to standard reporting guidelines is recommended, however, to further improve the quality of reporting. Consideration may be given to providing information regarding the quality of reporting in addition to the "level of evidence pyramid," thus facilitating critical appraisal.
The design of control systems of concentrator photovoltaic power plants will be more challenging in the future. Reasons are cost pressure, the increasing size of power plants, and new applications for operation, monitoring and maintenance required by grid operators, manufacturers and plant operators. Concepts and products for fixed-mounted photovoltaic can only partly be adapted since control systems for concentrator photovoltaic are considerable more complex due to the required high accurate sun-tracking. In order to assure reliable operation during a lifetime of more than 20 years, robustness of the control system is one crucial design criteria. This work considers common engineering technics for robustness, safety and security. Potential failures of the control system are identified and their effects are analyzed. Different attack scenarios are investigated. Outcomes are design criteria that encounter both: failures of system components and malicious attacks on the control system of future concentrator photovoltaic power plants. Such design criteria are a transparent state management through all system layers, self-tests and update capabilities for security concerns. The findings enable future research to develop a more robust and secure control system for concentrator photovoltaics when implementing new functionalities in the next generation.
The communication system of a large-scale concentrator photovoltaic power plant is very challenging. Manufacturers are building power plants having thousands of sun tracking systems equipped with communication and distributed over a wide area. Research is necessary to build a scalable communication system enabling modern control strategies. This poster abstract describes the ongoing work on the development of a simulation model of such power plants in OMNeT++. The model uses the INET Framework to build a communication network based on Ethernet. First results and problems of timing and data transmission experiments are outlined. The model enables research on new communication and control approaches to improve functionality and efficiency of power plants based on concentrator photovoltaic technology.
In the brain-cell microenvironment, diffusion plays an important role: apart from delivering glucose and oxygen from the vascular system to brain cells, it also moves informational substances between cells. The brain is an extremely complex structure of interwoven, intercommunicating cells, but recent theoretical and experimental works showed that the classical laws of diffusion, cast in the framework of porous media theory, can deliver an accurate quantitative description of the way molecules are transported through this tissue. The mathematical modeling and the numerical simulations are successfully applied in the investigation of diffusion processes in tissues, replacing the costly laboratory investigations. Nevertheless, modeling must rely on highly accurate information regarding the main parameters (tortuosity, volume fraction) which characterize the tissue, obtained by structural and functional imaging. The usual techniques to measure the diffusion mechanism in brain tissue are the radiotracer method, the real time iontophoretic method and integrative optical imaging using fluorescence microscopy. A promising technique for obtaining the values for characteristic parameters of the transport equation is the direct optical investigation using optical fibers. The analysis of these parameters also reveals how the local geometry of the brain changes with time or under pathological conditions. This paper presents a set of computations concerning the mass transport inside the brain tissue, for different types of cells. By measuring the time evolution of the concentration profile of an injected substance and using suitable fitting procedures, the main parameters characterizing the tissue can be determined. This type of analysis could be an important tool in understanding the functional mechanisms of effective drug delivery in complex structures such as the brain tissue. It also offers possibilities to realize optical imaging methods for in vitro and in vivo measurements using optical fibers. The model also may help in radiotracer biomarker models for the understanding of the mechanism of action of new chemical entities.
This paper describes the magmaOffenburg 3D simulation team trying to qualify for RoboCup 2013. While last year’s TDP focused on different ways how robot behavior can be defined in the magmaOffenburg framework this year we focus on how we statistically evaluate new features on distributed systems. We also show some results gained through such analysis.
In this paper we propose a motion framework forbipedal robots that decouples motion definitions from stabilizingthe robot. This simplifies motion definitions yet allows dynamicmotion adaptations. Two applications, walking and stopping onone leg, demonstrate the power of the framework. We show thatour framework is able to perform walking and stopping on one legeven under extreme conditions and improves walking benchmarkssignificantly in the RoboCup 3D soccer simulation domain.
Special implant connection module was developed to combine full features of two commercial heart rhythm simulators, ARSI-4 and Intersim II, into a master-slave teaching system. Seven workstations were equipped with the Carelink and Homemonitoring remote patient monitoring systems. This combination enables in-vitro training of physicians, nurses and students in pace-maker and defibrillator measurements during implantation and individual programming in the follow-up. Thus, extended sets of arrhythmias and electrode problems can be used to simulate problems and their solutions in a wide range of the clinical routine.
Das Ausmaß der elektrischen ventrikulären Desynchronisation bei reduzierter linksventrikulärer Funktion ist von Bedeutung für den Erfolg der Resynchronisationstherapie der Herzinsuffizienz mit biventrikulärer Stimulation. Das Ziel der Untersuchung besteht in der nichtinvasiven Messung der elektrischen inter-ventrikulären Desynchronisation mit und ohne ischämische Herzerkrankung bei kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern. Bei Patienten mit 25,3 ± 7,3 % reduzierter linksventrikulärer Ejektionsfraktion und 166,9 ± 38,5 ms QRS-Dauer wurde das transösophageale linksventrikuläre EKG abgeleitet. Die QRS-Dauer korrelierte mit dem interventrikulären und links-ventrikulären Delay bei Resynchronisationstherapie Respondern mit nicht-ischämischer Herzerkrankung.
Transösophageales interventrikuläres Delay bei Vorhofflimmern und kardialer Resynchronisation
(2013)
Die transösophageale linksventrikuläre Elektrokardiographie ermöglicht die Evaluierung der elektrischen ventrikulären Desynchronisation im Rahmen der kardialen Resynchronisationstherapie der Herzinsuffizienz. Das Ziel der Untersuchung besteht in der präoperativen Abschätzung des transösophagealen interventrikulären Delays bei Vorhofflimmern und kardialer Resynchronisationstherapie. Bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern, Herzinsuffizienz New York Heart Association Klasse 3,0 ± 0,2 und QRS-Dauer 159,6 ± 23,9 ms wurde das fokusierte transösophageale linksventrikuläre EKG abgeleitet. Die kardiale Resynchronisationstherapie Responder QRS-Dauer korrelierte mit dem transösophagealen interventrikulären Delay bei Vorhofflimmern.
Autonomous humanoid robots need high torque actuators to be able to walk and run. One problem in this context is the heat generated. In this paper we propose to use water evaporation to improve cooling of the motors. Simulations based on thermodynamic calculations as well as measurements on real actuators show that, under the assumption of the load of a soccer game, cooling can be considerably improved with relatively small amounts of water.
In this paper we present a model of the discharge of a lithium–oxygen battery with aqueous electrolyte. Lithium–oxygen batteries (Li–O2) have recently received great attention due to their large theoretical specific energy. Advantages of the aqueous design include the stability of the electrolyte, the long experience with gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), and the solubility of the reaction product lithium hydroxide. However, competitive specific energies can only be obtained if the product is allowed to precipitate. Here we present a dynamic one-dimensional model of a Li–O2 battery including a GDE and precipitation of lithium hydroxide. The model is parameterized using experimental data from the literature. We demonstrate that GDEs remove power limitations due to slow oxygen transport in solutions and that lithium hydroxide tends to precipitate on the anode side. We discuss the system architecture to engineer where nucleation and growth predominantly occurs and to optimize for discharge capacity.
Compact solid discharge products enable energy storage devices with high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, but solid deposits on active surfaces can disturb charge transport and induce mechanical stress. In this Letter, we develop a nanoscale continuum model for the growth of Li2O2 crystals in lithium–oxygen batteries with organic electrolytes, based on a theory of electrochemical nonequilibrium thermodynamics originally applied to Li-ion batteries. As in the case of lithium insertion in phase-separating LiFePO4 nanoparticles, the theory predicts a transition from complex to uniform morphologies of Li2O2 with increasing current. Discrete particle growth at low discharge rates becomes suppressed at high rates, resulting in a film of electronically insulating Li2O2 that limits cell performance. We predict that the transition between these surface growth modes occurs at current densities close to the exchange current density of the cathode reaction, consistent with experimental observations.
Decrease of non-responder rate is the main chal-lenge in cardiac resynchronization therapy. The problem could be solved, partly, in the follow-up by consequent indi-vidualization of hemodynamic pacing parameters. The eso-phageal electrogram feature of the Biotronik ICS 3000 programmer was used in the follow-up of 20 heart failure patients carrying implants for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Adverse hemodynamic programming of the sensed and paced AV delay could be easily observed and replaced by the individual optimal duration in 3 patients (15%) VDD and DDD operation.This result proves the value of esophageal electrogram recording CRT follow-up.
Cloud computing is the emerging technology providing IT as a utility through internet. The benefits of cloud computing are but not limited to service based, scalable, elastic, shared pool of resources, metered by use. Due to mentioned benefits the concept of cloud computing fits very well with the concept of m-learning which differs from other forms of e-learning, covers a wide range of possibilities opened up by the convergence of new mobile technologies, wireless communication structure and distance learning development. The concept of cloud computing like any other concept has not only benefits but also introduces myriad of security issues, such as transparency between cloud user and provider, lack of standards, security concerns related to identity, Service Level Agreements (SLA) inadequacy etc. Providing secure, transparent, and reliable services in cloud computing environment is an important issue. This paper introduces a secured three layered architecture with an advance Intrusion Detection System (advIDS), which overcomes different vulnerabilities on cloud deployed applications. This proposed architecture can reduce the impact of different attacks by providing timely alerts, rejecting the unauthorized access over services, and recording the new threat profiles for future verification. The goal of this research is to provide more control over data and applications to the cloud user, which are now mainly controlled by Cloud Service Provider (CSP).
The paper proposes a system architecture for charging infrastructure that serves the requirements of future fleets of shared-use electric vehicles in urban scenarios. The focus of the development is on the interfaces to central stakeholders such as mobility service providers, distribution network operators and utilities. The main concept of the proposed system is the adherence to a stringent resource-oriented design approach, following the design principles of the Representational State Transfer (REST) architectural software style for distributed systems. This design approach is used from the cloud-based services down to the implementation of the charging infrastructure's control algorithms. Focusing on the resources of the various entities simplifies the implementation of their interactions, compared to the explicit declaration of services that are available. The system design ensures that the charging infrastructure is open to all users and generates a benefit beyond basic charging operations. Integration in emerging smart markets is done via open web-based interfaces. These allow for the generation of an added value of concrete services for shared-use electric mobility. A link to the field of grid operation is proposed using the ISO/IEC 61850 telecontrol standard. The smart meter capabilities of the charging stations can be used to gain additional information on the current state of the distribution grid. As an exemplary service a load management service for a fleet of shared-use electric vehicles is going to be implemented.
A Localization System Using Inertial Measurement Units from Wireless Commercial Handheld Devices
(2013)
This paper describes a newly developed technology for the calculation of trajectories of mobile objects, which is based on commercially available sensors being integrated into modern mobile phones and other gadgets. First, a step counting technique was implemented. Second, a novel step length estimator is proposed. These two algorithms utilize the data from accelerometer sensor only. Third, the heading information was obtained using a gyroscope with complementary filter in quaternion form. The combined algorithm was implemented on a low-power ARM processor to provide the trajectory points relative to an initial point. The proposed technique was tested by 10 subjects, in different shoes with different paces. The dependence of the performance of the technology on the attaching point of the mobile device is weak. The proposed algorithms have better balance and estimation accuracy and depend in less degree on the variety in physical parameters of people in comparison with the existing techniques. In experiments inertial measurement units were mounted in different places, i.e. in the hand, in trousers or in T-shirt pockets. The return position error did not exceed 5% of the total travelled distance for all performed tests.
Ranging errors are inevitable in all local positioning systems, including those based on Time-of-Flight (ToF) technique. Results of experiments show that the major cause for these errors is a signal degradation from multipath propagation. This effect is especially critical in case of Non-Light-of-Sight (NLOS) conditions. This paper describes causes that affects ranging errors for nanoLOC™-TOF-technology and presents estimations for the probability density functions of such errors under different NLOS conditions. The provided estimations allow the improvement of the accuracy of the localization through the subsequent mitigation of the ranging errors from the measurements. Additionally, it is proposed to increase the number of cases of NLOS-conditions for the improvement of the accuracy.
The lifetime and performance of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and electrolyzer cells (SOEC) can be significantly degraded by oxidation of nickel within the electrode and support structures. This paper documents a detailed computational model describing nickel oxide (NiO) formation as a growing film layer on top of the nickel phase in Ni/YSZ composite electrodes. The model assumes that the oxidation rate is controlled by transport of ions across the film (Wagner's theory). The computational model, which is implemented in a two-dimensional continuum framework, facilitates the investigation of alternative chemical reaction and transport mechanisms. Model predictions agree well with a literature experimental measurement of oxidation-layer growth. In addition to providing insight in interpreting experimental observations, the model provides a quantitative predictive capability for improving electrode design and controlling operating conditions.
The formation of secondary phases in the porous electrodes is a severe mechanism affecting the lifetime of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). It can occur via various chemical mechanisms and it has a significant influence on cell performance due to pore clogging and deactivation of active surfaces and triple-phase boundary (TPB). We present a modeling and simulation study of nickel oxide formation (reoxidation) and carbon formation (coking) within the SOFC anode. We use a 2D continuum model based on a multi-phase framework [Neidhardt et al., J. Electrochem. Soc., 159, 9 (2012)] that allows the introduction of arbitrary solid phases (here: Ni, YSZ, NiO, Carbon) plus gas phase. Reactions between the bulk phases are modeled via interface-adsorbed species and are described by an elementary kinetic approach. Published experimental data are used for parameterization and validation. Simulations allow the prediction of cell performance under critical operation conditions, like (i) a non-fuel operation test, where NiO formation is taking place (Figure 1a), or (ii) an open circuit voltage (OCV) stability test under hydrocarbon atmosphere, where solid carbon is formed (Figure 1b). Results are applied for enhanced interpretation of experimental data and for prediction of safe operation conditions.
The combination of fossil-derived fuels with ethanol and methanol has acquired relevance and attention in several countries in recent years. This trend is strongly affected by market prices, constant geopolitical events, new sustainability policies, new laws and regulations, etc. Besides bio-fuels these materials also include different additives as anti-shock agents and as octane enhancer. Some of the chemical compounds in these additives may have harmful properties for both environment and public health (besides the inherent properties, like volatility). We present detailed Raman spectral information from toluene (C7H8) and ethanol (C2H6O) contained in samples of ElO gasoline-ethanol blends. The spectral information has been extracted by using a robust, high resolution Fourier-Transform Raman spectrometer (FT-Raman) prototype. This spectral information has been also compared with Raman spectra from pure additives and with standard Raman lines in order to validate its accuracy in frequency. The spectral information is presented in the range of 0 cm-1 to 3500 cm-1 with a resolution of 1.66cm-1. This allows resolving tight adjacent Raman lines like the ones observed around 1003cm-1 and 1030cm-1 (characteristic lines of toluene). The Raman spectra obtained show a reduced frequency deviation when compared to standard Raman spectra from different calibration materials. The FT-Raman spectrometer prototype used for the analysis consist basically of a Michelson interferometer and a self-designed photon counter cooled down on a Peltier element arrangement. The light coupling is achieved with conventional62.5/125μm multi-mode fibers. This FT-Raman setup is able to extract high resolution and frequency precise Raman spectra from the additives in the fuels analyzed. The proposed prototype has no additional complex hardware components or costly software modules. The mechanical and thermal disturbances affecting the FT-Raman system are mathematically compensated by accurately extracting the optical path information of the Michelson interferometer. This is accomplished by generating an additional interference pattern with a λ = 632.8 nm Helium-Neon laser (HeNe laser). It enables the FT-Raman system to perform reliable and clean spectral measurements from the materials under observation.
Die “Selbstbetrachtungen” des Marc Aurel – medizinisch-ethische Betrachtungen des Menschseins
(2013)
In the dual membrane fuel cell (DM-Cell), protons formed at the anode and oxygen ions formed at the cathode migrate through their respective dense electrolytes to react and form water in a porous composite layer called dual membrane (DM). The DM-Cell concept was experimentally proven (as detailed in Part I of this paper). To describe the electrochemical processes occurring in this novel fuel cell, a mathematical model has been developed which focuses on the DM as the characteristic feature of the DM-Cell. In the model, the porous composite DM is treated as a continuum medium characterized by effective macro-homogeneous properties. To simulate the polarization behavior of the DM-Cell, the potential distribution in the DM is related to the flux of protons and oxygen ions in the conducting phases by introducing kinetic and transport equations into charge balances. Since water pressure may affect the overall formation rate, water mass balances across the DM and transport equations are also considered. The satisfactory comparison with available experimental results suggests that the model provides sound indications on the effects of key design parameters and operating conditions on cell behavior and performance.
Multi-agent systems are a subject of continuously increasing interest in applied technical sciences. Smart grids are one evolving field of application. Numerous smart grid projects with various interpretations of multi-agent systems as new control concept arose in the last decade. Although several theoretical definitions of the term ‘agent’ exist, there is a lack of practical understanding that might be improved by clearly distinguishing the agent technologies from other state-of-the-art control technologies. In this paper we clarify the differences between controllers, optimizers, learning systems, and agents. Further, we review most recent smart grid projects, and contrast their interpretations with our understanding of agents and multi-agent systems. We point out that multi-agent systems applied in the smart grid can add value when they are understood as fully distributed networks of control entities embedded in dynamic grid environments; able to operate in a cooperative manner and to automatically (re-)configure themselves.
Energy consumption for cooling is growing dramatically. In the last years, electricity peak consumption grew significantly, switching from winter to summer in many EU countries. This is endangering the stability of electricity grids. This article outlines a comprehensive analysis of an office building performances in terms of energy consumption and thermal comfort (in accordance with static – ISO 7730:2005 – and adaptive thermal comfort criteria – EN 15251:2007 –) related to different cooling concepts in six different European climate zones. The work is based on a series of dynamic simulations carried out in the Trnsys 17 environment for a typical office building. The simulation study was accomplished for five cooling technologies: natural ventilation (NV), mechanical night ventilation (MV), fan-coils (FC), suspended ceiling panels (SCP), and concrete core conditioning (CCC) applied in Stockholm, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Rome, and Palermo. Under this premise, the authors propose a methodology for the evaluation of the cooling concepts taking into account both, thermal comfort and energy consumption.
The invention relates to a method for determining properties of a pipeline, more particularly the position of a branch in a waste water pipeline, in which: a sound wave transmission signal (S, S') is fed into the pipeline (1) at a predetermined infeed point and propagates in the axial direction of the pipeline (1), wherein the frequency spectrum of the sound wave transmission signal (S, S') has a frequency component or a spectral range, the maximum frequency of which is lower than the lower limit frequency (fc) for the first upper mode; in which method components (Sr1, Sr2, Sr3, S'r1, S'r2, S'r3) of the sound wave transmission signal (S, S') reflected inside the pipeline (1) are detected as a sound wave reception signal (E, E'); and in which method, by evaluating the sound wave reception signal (E, E') in relation to the sound wave transmission signal (S, S'), the pipeline (1) is examined for the presence of reflection sites along the pipeline (1) that cause sound wave reflections (Sr1, Sr2, Sr3, S'r1, S'r2, S'r3), wherein at least the distance (I) of a reflection site from the infeed point is determined by evaluating the respective sound wave reception signal (E, E'). The invention further relates to a device for implementing said method.
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Eigenschaften einer Rohrleitung, insbesondere der Position eines Abzweigs einer Abwasserrohrleitung, bei dem ein Schallwellensendesignal (S, S‘) an einem vorgegebenen Einspeisepunkt in die Rohrleitung (1) eingespeist wird und sich in axialer Richtung der Rohrleitung (1) ausbreitet, wobei das Frequenzspektrum des Schallwellensendesignals (S, S‘) eine Frequenzkomponente oder einen Spektralbereich aufweist, dessen maximale Frequenz kleiner ist als die untere Grenzfrequenz (fc) für die erste Obermode, bei dem innerhalb der Rohrleitung (1) reflektierte Anteile (Sr1, Sr2, Sr3, S’r1, S’r2, S’r3) des Schallwellensendesignals (S, S‘) als Schallwellenempfangssignal (E, E‘) detektiert werden, und bei dem die Rohrleitung (1) durch eine Auswertung des Schallwellenempfangssignals (E, E‘) in Bezug auf das Schallwellensendesignal (S, S‘) hinsichtlich des Vorhandenseins von Schallwellenreflexionen (Sr1, Sr2, Sr3, S’r1, S’r2, S’r3) verursachenden Reflexionsorten entlang der Rohrleitung (1) untersucht wird, wobei mittels der Auswertung des Schallwellenempfangssignals (E, E‘) zumindest jeweils der Abstand (l) eines Reflexionsortes von dem Einspeisepunkt bestimmt wird. Des Weiteren betrifft die Erfindung eine Vorrichtung zur Realisierung des Verfahrens.
High-precision signal processing algorithm to evaluate SAW properties as a function of temperature
(2013)
This paper presents a signal processing algorithm which accurately evaluates the SAW properties of a substrate as functions of temperature. The investigated acoustic properties are group velocity, phase velocity, propagation loss, and coupling coefficient. With several measurements carried out at different temperatures, we obtain the temperature dependency of the SAW properties. The analysis algorithm starts by reading the transfer functions of short and long delay lines. The analysis algorithm determines the center frequency of the delay lines and obtains the delay time difference between the short and long delay lines. The extracted parameters are then used to calculate the acoustic properties of the SAW material. To validate the algorithm, its accuracy is studied by determining the error in the calculating delay time difference, center frequency, and group velocity.
The communication technologies for automatic meter reading (smart metering) and for energy production and distribution networks (smart grid) have the potential to be one of the first really highly scaled machine-to-machine-M2M-applications. During the last years, two very promising developments around the wireless part of the smart grid communication were initialized, which possibly could have an impact on the network architectures and the markets far beyond Germany and far beyond energy automation. Besides the specification of the OMS Group of a security extension to the Wireless M-Bus protocol (EN13757-4), the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI) has designed a Protection Profile (PP) and a Technical Directive (TR) for the communication unit of an intelligent measurement system (Smart Meter Gateway), which were released in March 2013. This design uses state of the art technologies and prescribes their implementation in real-life systems. At first, the proposed paper will present the most important characteristics of this architecture. It will then give an insight into the implementation of the OMS security protocols, which imply the usage of a mutually authenticated SSL protocol also in the Local Metrological Network. This is achieved with the help of an additional Authentication and Fragmentation Layer (AFL). This secure communication will be terminated in a BSI conformant secure smart meter gateway, which is developed in a different project and described in the second step. Finally, the contribution will discuss the integration of such a metering network into an overall telecommunication network and PKI infrastructure.
The communication technologies for automatic me-ter reading (smart metering) and for energy production and distribution networks (smart grid) have the potential to be one of the first really highly scaled machine-to-machine-(M2M)-applications. During the last years two very promising devel-opments around the wireless part of smart grid communication were initialized, which possibly have an impact on the markets far beyond Europe and far beyond energy automation. Besides the specifications of the Open Metering System (OMS) Group, the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI) has designed a protection profile (PP) and a technical directive (TR) for the communication unit of an intelligent measurement sys-tem (smart meter gateway), which were released in March 2013. This design uses state-of-the-art technologies and prescribes their implementation in real-life systems. At first sight the expenditures for the prescribed solutions seem to be significant. But in the long run, this path is inevitable and comes with strategic advantages.
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is a major enabler for the upcoming smart grid. Potentially, it will be one of the first really large-scale M2M-communication solutions for sensor applications.
To date, the definition of the standardized communication stacks for Local Metrological Network (LMN) in AMR is still ongoing. This holds true both for ZigBee Smart Energy Profile and for Wireless M-Bus according to EN 13757. During this process, there is the necessity for flexible, albeit optimized solutions, which support the different existing and upcoming versions of the communication protocols. In the case of Wireless M-Bus, the major contender for European and possibly Asian installations, this is valid not only for the different operation modes (C-, N-, P-, Q-, R-, S-, and T-modes), which work in different frequencies (i.e. 868 MHz, 433 MHz, and 169 MHz) but also for the application layer, where additional bodies, like EN137575, Open Metering System (OMS) Group, or national bodies follow their approaches.
This contribution describes requirements, design techniques and experiences from the development of highly efficient Wireless M-Bus protocol stacks with support of good flexibility and portability between microcontroller platforms and RF-transceivers. The presented approach is not limited to the use of modern software engineering design processes, as such, but also includes essential additional features like testing or simulation, as well as tools for commissioning and monitoring.
Die Energiewende ist ein elementares Thema, für Deutschland wie auch für viele andere Regionen weltweit. Bei der Bereitstellung effizienter und stabiler Verteilnetze stellen Kommunikationslösungen einen zentralen Baustein dar, um auf der Grundlage eines zeitnahen Monitorings koordinierte Regelalgorithmen zu realisieren. Dies gilt für alle Ebenen der Versorgung, wobei aus Sicht der Kommunikationstechnik die unterste Ebene der Verteilnetze am interessantesten ist: Hier sind die anspruchsvollsten Anforderungen im Hinblick auf die Kosten- und die Energieoptimierung der Kommunikationsknoten sowie die Administrierbarkeit, die Stabilität und die Skalierbarkeit der Gesamtlösung zu berücksichtigen. Das Steinbeis-Transferzentrum Embedded Design und Networking an der Hochschule Offenburg unter der Leitung von Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Sikora hat in verschiedenen Projekten mit renommierten Partnern umfangreiche Lösungen für diese sogenannte Primärkommunikation entwickelt.
Die Kommunikationstechnik für die Zählerfernauslesung (Smart Metering) und für die Energieerzeugungs- und -verteilnetze (Smart Grid) hat das Potenzial, zu einer der ersten hoch skalierten M2M-Anwendungen zu werden. In den vergangenen Jahren konnten zwei vielversprechende Entwicklungen im Umfeld der drahtlosen Kommunikation für die Smart-Grid-Kommunikation vorbereitet werden, die das Marktgeschehen über Deutschland und über die Versorgungstechnik hinaus beeinflussen könnten. Neben der Spezifikation der OMS-Gruppe ist die Erarbeitung eines Schutzprofils (Protection Profile, PP) sowie einer Technischen Richtlinie (TR) für die Kommunikationseinheit eines intelligenten Messsystems (Smart Meter Gateway) durch das Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) zu nennen. Diese greifen, wie der Beitrag beschreibt, den Stand der Technik auf und geben praxisorientierte Umsetzungen vor.
The communication between objects, i.e. between cars (car-2-car, C2C), between cars and infrastructure (car-2-infrastructure, C2I) and between cars and vulnerable road users (car-2-VRU, C2VRU) is a major stepping stone towards traffic applications to enable efficient and safe traffic flow. However, these applications pose very high requirements to the communication protocols, which go beyond the capabilities of an available standardized solution.
This contribution shows how iterative design processes can help to fulfill these requirements, while re-using a maximum of elements from one level to the next and thus avoiding unrealistic overhead. In especially, the added value of simulation and emulation in this iterative process is elaborated.
A highly scalable IEEE802.11p communication and localization subsystem for autonomous urban driving
(2013)
The IEEE802.11p standard describes a protocol for car-to-X and mainly for car-to-car-communication. It has found its place in hardware and firmware implementations and is currently tested in various field tests. In the research project Ko-TAG, which is part of the research initiative Ko-FAS, cooperative sensor technology is developed for the support of highly autonomous driving. A secondary radar principle based on communication signals enables localization of objects with simultaneous data transmission. It mainly concentrates on the detection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users (VRU), but also supports pre crash safety applications. Thus it is mainly targeted for the support of traffic safety applications in intra-urban scenarios. This contribution describes the Ko-TAG part of the overall initiative, which develops a subsystem to improve the real-time characteristics of IEEE802.11p needed for precise time of flight real-time localization. In doing this, it still fits into the regulatory schemes. It discusses the approach for definition and verification of the protocol design, while maintaining the close coexistence with existing IEEE802.11p subsystems. System simulations were performed and hardware was implemented. Test results are shown in the last part of the paper.
The IEEE802.11p standard describes a protocol for car-to-X and mainly for car-to-car-communication. It has found its place in hardware and firmware implementations and is currently tested in various field tests. In the research project Ko-TAG, which is part of the research initiative Ko-FAS, cooperative sensor technology is developed and its benefit for traffic safety applications is evaluated. A secondary radar principle based on communication signals enables localization of objects with simultaneous data transmission. It mainly concentrates on the detection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users (VRU), but also supports pre crash safety applications. The Ko-TAG proposal enriches the current IEEE802.11p real-time characteristics needed for precise time-of-flight real-time localization. This contribution describes the development of a subsystem, which extends the functionality of IEEE802.11p and fits into the regulatory schemes. It discusses the approach for definition and verification of the protocol design, while maintaining the close coexistence with existing IEEE802.11p subsystems. System simulations were performed and hardware was implemented. The next step will be field measurements to verify the simulation results.
Efficient, low-cost, secure and reliable communication solutions are a major stepping stone for smart metering and smart grid applications. This especially holds true for the so called primary communication or local metrological network (LMN) between a local meter or actuator and a data collector or gateway, where the highest requirements with regard to cost, bandwidth, and energy efficiency have to be taken into consideration. Multiple developments and field tests are going on in this field, however, energy autarkic devices are hardly found, yet.
Efficient, low-cost, secure and reliable communication solutions are a major stepping stone for smart metering and smart grid applications. This especially holds true for the so called primary communication or local metrological network (LMN) between a local meter or actuator and a data collector or gateway, where the highest requirements with regard to cost, bandwidth, and energy efficiency have to be taken into consideration. Multiple developments and field tests are going on in this field, however, energy autarkic devices are hardly found, yet. This contribution describes the development of an automatic water meter reading (AWMR) technology based on Wireless M-Bus to provide water utility companies with an automatic remote water meter reading solution. It addresses the special needs of home utilities by providing a remote metering solution independent from the electricity infrastructure, both in terms of data communication and in terms of power supply. For this project, a cost efficient integrated energy harvesting system powered by the available water flow was developed, to enable operation independently of the mains grid, and eliminate the need for battery replacement for near-zero maintenance costs.
Network landscape of recent time contains many different network technologies, a wide range of end-devices with a large scale of capabilities and power, and an immense quantity of information and data represented in different formats. Research on 3D imaging, virtual reality and holographic techniques will result in new user interfaces (UI) for mobile devices, will increase their diversity and variety. In this paper software architecture has been proposed to establish device and content format independent communication including 3D imaging and virtual reality data as content. As experimental validation the concept is implemented in collaborative Language Learning Game (LLG), which is a learning tool for language acquisition.