Abstract: IoT embedded systems as well as cloud computing infrastructure may merge processor soft cores with programmable logic (FPGAs) to yield a heterogeneous hardware-software processing ecosystem through which the embedded systems and infrastructure customize and adapt their computational power to the specific application in use. The embedded systems and cloud computing infrastructure with dynamic reconfiguration will bring neuroplasticity to the interconnected space of IoT embedded systems, enabling high-performance, customized, secure-by-design cloud computing services. A cloud server of IaaS is employed to evaluate the performances and efficiencies of embedded systems according to its hardware architectures, so that the computing service allow one reconfigurable system download its hardware architecture file or bitstream into other embedded systems via the cloud server.

Abstract: IoT embedded systems as well as cloud computing infrastructure may merge processor soft cores with programmable logic (FPGAs) to yield a heterogeneous hardware-software processing ecosystem through which the embedded systems and infrastructure customize and adapt their computational power to the specific application in use. The embedded systems and cloud computing infrastructure with dynamic reconfiguration will bring neuroplasticity to the interconnected space of IoT embedded systems, enabling high-performance, customized, secure-by-design cloud computing services. A cloud server of IaaS is employed to evaluate the performances and efficiencies of embedded systems according to its hardware architectures, so that the computing service allow one reconfigurable system download its hardware architecture file or bitstream into other embedded systems via the cloud server.

Abstract: Devices for modulating light signals. A modulator includes a rolled optical fiber cable having a preset tensile stress along the longitudinal axis thereof, a coating layer applied to the rolled optical cable, and at least one piezo acoustic transducer secured to the coating layer. The piezo acoustic transducer is operative to generate a sound wave that modulates a frequency of a light signal passing through the rolled optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Methods of operating an interrogation system that has a plurality of patches attached to a host structure. Each patch is capable of generating a diagnostic wave and/or developing a sensor signal in response to the diagnostic wave. In each method, a Euclidean undirected graph is generated by forming a plurality of paths; wherein each path connects two of the patches and the length of the path is shorter than a preset limit. Then, a directed graph or network is generated by assigning a propagation direction of the diagnostic wave to each path. Structural condition index (SCI) values are measured by use of the directed graph and, based on the SCI values, the host structure is scanned for anomalies. The directed graph is reconfigured to determine the shape and location of the anomalies.

Abstract: Method and systems of monitoring structural health conditions by use of a plurality of patch sensors attached to an object, for concurrent positive and negative actuation for reducing the electromagnetic interference, the power consumption, and the size of the electronic platform in structural health monitoring. The method comprises the steps of generating the first and second actuation signals, the second actuation signal being approximately identical to the inverted signal of the first actuation signal; applying the voltage difference of the first and second actuation signals across two electrical terminals of a transmitter patch, by initiating the first actuation signal to one electrical terminal and at same time the second actuation signal to the other electrical terminal, so as to facilitate the generation of said stress wave within a structure; and receiving the sensor signals from the sensor patches to monitor the health conditions of the structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods and recordable media for prognosticating a structural condition. A method for prognosticating a structural condition by use of a network having a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP), each of the patches being able to operate as at least one of a transmitter patch and a sensor patch, includes the steps of: (a) causing at least one of the patches to emit a transmitter signal and a portion of the other patches to receive a set of sensor signals at a point in time; (b) repeating the step (a) to receive multiple sets of sensor signals at multiple points in time, respectively; and (c) prognosticating, based on the multiple sets of signals, a structural condition of a host structure of the network at a target point in time.

Abstract: Systems, methods and recordable media for identifying damage in a structure. A method includes the steps of: obtaining a plurality of damage index values for a network coupled to the structure, wherein each of the damage index values is a quantity to be affected by damage in the structure; generating a distribution of damage index value over a surface using the obtained damage index values; and identifying the damage by analyzing the distribution.

Abstract: Systems, methods and recordable media for generating tomographic images to monitor structural health conditions. A method includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of damage index values for a network that is coupled to a host structure and has a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP), generating a distribution of damage index value over a surface using the obtained damage index values, and formatting the distribution as at least one tomographic image. Each of the patches is able to operate as at least one of a transmitter patch and a sensor patch. The damage index values is a quantity to be affected by damage in the host structure or associated with signals generated by the patches in a response to an impact on the host structure.

Abstract: Systems for diagnosing/monitoring structural health conditions of objects. The system, which monitors structural health conditions by use of a plurality of patch sensors attached to an object, includes at least one bridge box and at least one relay switch array module having a plurality of switches. Each of the patch sensors is adapted to perform at least one of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal. The bridge box includes an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the sensor signal to a digital signal. The switches are adapted to establish a channel between a selected one of the patch sensors and the ADC.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring structural health conditions of host structures. A device includes at least one optical fiber sensor and an electronic module. The optical fiber sensor includes a rolled optical fiber cable operative to generate a frequency shift of a light signal passing therethrough and a coating layer applied to the rolled optical cable. The frequency shift is commensurate with vibration of the host structure. The electronic module sends an input light signal to the optical fiber sensor, receives a sensor signal from the optical fiber sensor, and processes the sensor signal.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring structural health conditions of structures. A device includes a bottom substrate layer and an electrical connection layer disposed on the bottom substrate layer. The electrical connection layer includes a middle layer and a pair of generally comb-shaped electrodes disposed beneath the bottom surface of the middle layer. The device also includes one or more piezo-ceramic transducers sandwiched between the bottom substrate layer and the electrical connection layer, wherein the transducers are electrically coupled to the comb-shaped electrodes. The device also includes a top cover layer disposed on the electrical connection layer and means for communicating electrical signals to the piezo-ceramic transducers.

Abstract: A usage monitoring system of a gas tank. A monitoring system for monitoring the usage of a tank includes: a sensor module for measuring one or more thermophysical quantities of a gas in the tank; and a processor module for controlling the usage of the tank based on the measured thermophysical quantities.

Abstract: Devices for modulating light signals. A modulator includes a rolled optical fiber cable having a preset tensile stress along the longitudinal axis thereof, a coating layer applied to the rolled optical cable, and at least one piezo acoustic transducer secured to the coating layer. The piezo acoustic transducer is operative to generate a sound wave that modulates a frequency of a light signal passing through the rolled optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A tank having a system for monitoring the structural conditions of the tank. The tank includes: an inner liner adapted to contain a gas thereinside and to prevent permeation of the gas therethrough; a shell surrounding the inner liner; and a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP) attached to the outside surface of the shell. Each DNP is able to operate as a transmitter patch or a sensor patch, where the transmitter patch is able to transmit a diagnostic signal and the sensor patch is able to receive the diagnostic signal. The diagnostic signal received by the DNP is analyzed to monitor the structural conditions of the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring structural health conditions of structures. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric device that has a bottom cover plate, piezoelectric rings concentrically disposed with respect to an axis and positioned on the bottom cover plate, and concentric filler rings made from an electrically insulating material. Each of the piezoelectric rings is interposed between two adjacent filler rings. The piezoelectric device also includes electrical connection means for communicating electrical signals to the piezoelectric rings and a top cover plate that is positioned over the piezoelectric rings and filler rings. The electrical connection means are operative to transmit electrical signals that cause one or more of the piezoelectric rings to generate waves or transmit electrical signals developed by one or more of the piezoelectric rings in response to the waves.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring structural health conditions of objects. Each system includes patch sensors attached to an object, wherein each patch sensor is capable of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal in response to the wave. The system includes a tree structured relay unit that has a root node and at least one lower level node that includes at least one leaf node connected to the patch sensors. The lower level node includes switches, wherein the switches are operated to establish a channel between the root node and a selected one of the patch sensors and wherein actuator signal or sensor signal is transmitted through the channel. The sensor signals are analyzed to monitor health conditions thereby prevent catastrophic failure.

Abstract: Systems for diagnosing/monitoring structural health conditions of objects. The system, which monitors structural health conditions by use of a plurality of patch sensors attached to an object, includes at least one bridge box. Each of the patch sensors is capable of at least one of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal in response to the wave. The bridge box includes: a switch array module that has a plurality of relay switches; and a signal condition module, wherein the plurality of relay switches are operated to establish a channel between a selected one of the patches and the signal condition module.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring structural health conditions of host structures. A device includes at least one optical fiber sensor and an electronic module. The optical fiber sensor includes a rolled optical fiber cable operative to generate a frequency shift of a light signal passing therethrough and a coating layer applied to the rolled optical cable. The frequency shift is commensurate with vibration of the host structure. The electronic module sends an input light signal to the optical fiber sensor, receives a sensor signal from the optical fiber sensor, and processes the sensor signal.

Abstract: Devices for monitoring structural health conditions of structures. A device includes a bottom substrate layer and an electrical connection layer disposed on the bottom substrate layer. The electrical connection layer includes a middle layer and a pair of generally comb-shaped electrodes disposed beneath the bottom surface of the middle layer. The device also includes one or more piezo-ceramic transducers sandwiched between the bottom substrate layer and the electrical connection layer, wherein the transducers are electrically coupled to the comb-shaped electrodes. The device also includes a top cover layer disposed on the electrical connection layer and means for communicating electrical signals to the piezo-ceramic transducers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and recordable media for prognosticating a structural condition. A method for prognosticating a structural condition by use of a network having a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP), each of the patches being able to operate as at least one of a transmitter patch and a sensor patch, includes the steps of: (a) causing at least one of the patches to emit a transmitter signal and a portion of the other patches to receive a set of sensor signals at a point in time; (b) repeating the step (a) to receive multiple sets of sensor signals at multiple points in time, respectively; and (c) prognosticating, based on the multiple sets of signals, a structural condition of a host structure of the network at a target point in time.