Providing Configurability and Plug-and-Play Capability to Simple Sensors: A Step towards Smart Sensors for Smart Factories

Abstract:

A modality to boost up the abilities of simple sensors for providing extended configurability options and plug-and-play capability along with great scalability, integrability, rapid customization and modularity is reported in this paper. An embedded architecture that requires both electronic and software designs is employed for expanding sensor capability. Self-integration, configuration, data computation from the sensor, analog-to-digital data conversion and data processing relative to configuration options are investigated. Based on the approach proposed, an embedded sensor-system, consisting of a network of microcontrollers and sensors capable to respond to configurability and fast integrability requirements, is built and tested within this research. Tests have shown the smart sensor-system is functional, feasible, cost-effective, easy-to-use and highly reconfigurable. Integration of such sensors within reconfigurable, autonomous and distributed manufacturing systems is thus possible.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 162)
• Pages: 597-606
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.162.597
• Online since: March 2012
• Authors: Mircea Murar, Stelian Brad
• Keywords: Embedded Design, Factories of the Future, Plug-and-Play, Smart Sensors

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