Predicting the canopy conductance to water vapor of grapevines using a biophysical model in a hot and arid climate.

Canopy conductance is a crucial factor in modelling plant transpiration and is highly responsive to water stress. The objective of this study is to develop a straightforward method for estimating canopy conductance (g) in grapevines. To predict g, this study combines stomatal conductance to water vapor (g) measurements from grapevine leaves, scaled to represent the canopy size by the leaf area index (LAI), with atmospheric variables, such as net solar radiation (R) and air vapor pressure deficit (VPD).

Olive-Fruit Mass and Size Estimation Using Image Analysis and Feature Modeling.

This paper presents a new methodology for the estimation of olive-fruit mass and size, characterized by its major and minor axis length, by using image analysis techniques. First, different sets of olives from the varieties Picual and Arbequina were photographed in the laboratory. An original algorithm based on mathematical morphology and statistical thresholding was developed for segmenting the acquired images.

Hardware/Software Data Acquisition System for Real Time Cell Temperature Monitoring in Air-Cooled Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.

This work presents a hardware/software data acquisition system developed for monitoring the temperature in real time of the cells in Air-Cooled Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (AC-PEFC). These fuel cells are of great interest because they can carry out, in a single operation, the processes of oxidation and refrigeration. This allows reduction of weight, volume, cost and complexity of the control system in the AC-PEFC.

Integration of Sensors, Controllers and Instruments Using a Novel OPC Architecture.

The interconnection between sensors, controllers and instruments through a communication network plays a vital role in the performance and effectiveness of a control system. Since its inception in the 90s, the Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control (OPC) protocol has provided open connectivity for monitoring and automation systems. It has been widely used in several environments such as industrial facilities, building and energy automation, engineering education and many others.

Easy Handling of Sensors and Actuators over TCP/IP Networks by Open Source Hardware/Software.

There are several specific solutions for accessing sensors and actuators present in any process or system through a TCP/IP network, either local or a wide area type like the Internet. The usage of sensors and actuators of different nature and diverse interfaces (SPI, I2C, analogue, etc.) makes access to them from a network in a homogeneous and secure way more complex.

Novel Networked Remote Laboratory Architecture for Open Connectivity Based on PLC-OPC-LabVIEW-EJS Integration. Application in Remote Fuzzy Control and Sensors Data Acquisition.

In this paper the design and implementation of a network for integrating Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), the Object-Linking and Embedding for Process Control protocol (OPC) and the open-source Easy Java Simulations (EJS) package is presented. A LabVIEW interface and the Java-Internet-LabVIEW (JIL) server complete the scheme for data exchange. This configuration allows the user to remotely interact with the PLC.

A New, Scalable and Low Cost Multi-Channel Monitoring System for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.

In this work a new, scalable and low cost multi-channel monitoring system for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) has been designed, constructed and experimentally validated. This developed monitoring system performs non-intrusive voltage measurement of each individual cell of a PEFC stack and it is scalable, in the sense that it is capable to carry out measurements in stacks from 1 to 120 cells (from watts to kilowatts). The developed system comprises two main subsystems: hardware devoted to data acquisition (DAQ) and software devoted to real-time monitoring.

Temperature measurement in PV facilities on a per-panel scale.

This paper presents the design, construction and testing of an instrumentation system for temperature measurement in PV facilities on a per-panel scale (i.e., one or more temperature measurements per panel).

Presence of As in the fluvial network due to AMD processes in the Riotinto mining area (SW Spain): a fuzzy logic qualitative model.

The Tinto River crosses the mining area of Riotinto (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain), where it receives the highest contribution of contaminants (AMD). In this paper we apply a fuzzy computer tool, PreFuRGe, which allows qualitative interpretation of the data recorded in a database relating to the chemistry of water. Specifically, we aim to find information not likely to be detected by means of classical statistical techniques, and which can help in characterizing and interpreting the behavior of arsenic in a complex system.

A new and inexpensive pyranometer for the visible spectral range.

This paper presents the design, construction and testing of a new photodiode-based pyranometer for the visible spectral range (approx. 400 to 750 nm), whose principal characteristics are: accuracy, ease of connection, immunity to noise, remote programming and operation, interior temperature regulation, cosine error minimisation and all this at a very low cost, tens of times lower than that of commercial thermopile-based devices. This new photodiode-based pyranometer overcomes traditional problems in this type of device and offers similar characteristics to those of thermopile-based pyranometers and, therefore, can be used in any installation where reliable measurement of solar irradiance is necessary, especially in those where cost is a deciding factor in the choice of a meter.