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

在密歇根大学和威斯康星大学的美国国家科学基金会支持的智能维护系统中心(美国IMS中心)和柏林工业大学的Werkzeugmaschinen and Fabrikbetrieb研究所(德国柏林工业大学)的合作下，将设计一种基于性能评估和预测的微电子工具，以确定产品或过程的状况，以延长其使用阶段。该工具称为嵌入式看门狗代理/生命周期单元(EWA/LCU)，应作为模块化嵌入式系统实现，优先关注制造和运输中的非固定移动产品。研究挑战在于模块化硬件和软件组件的有条不紊的设计，以及在嵌入式技术的框架条件下整合性能评估和预测能力，即受限的空间、能量和处理能力。IMS中心正在进行基于条件的性能评估和预测研究，柏林理工大学将系统化实现EWA/LCU所需的硬件和软件模块。硬件研究包括信息处理、统一的通信和传感器接口，以及能量优化的低功耗设计。软件研究包括操作系统和传感器接口的利用，以及模块化评估/预测算法。原型EWA/LCU将在德国作为机械标准部件在减震器和轴承中实施，在美国在货运列车的制动系统中实施。

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.