Embedded Watchdog Agent/Life Cycle Unit for Performance Assessment and Prediction in Mobile Components

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In collaboration of the US National Science Foundation supported Center for Intelligent Maintenance Systems (Center for IMS, USA) from the Universities of Michigan and Wisconsin, and the Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Fabrikbetrieb of Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin, Germany), a microelectronic tool based on performance assessment and prediction shall be designed to determine the condition of products or processes to extend their utilization phase. The tool is called Embedded Watchdog Agent/Life Cycle Unit (EWA/LCU) and shall be realized as a modular embedded system focused preferably on non stationary mobile products in manufacturing and transport. Research challenges are in the methodical design of modular hardware and software components and in the integration of performance assessment and prediction capabilities within the frame conditions of embedded technology, i.e. restricted space, energy, and processing power. The Center for IMS is doing research on condition-based performance assessment and prediction and the TU Berlin will systematise hardware and software modules needed to realize EWA/LCUs. Hardware research covers information processing, uniform communication and sensor interfaces, and energy-optimised low-power designs. Software research covers utilization of operating systems and interfaces to sensors and modular assessment/prediction algorithms. Prototypical EWA/LCUs shall be implemented in a shock absorber and a bearing as mechanical standard components in Germany, and a braking system of a freight train in the US.