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The present work is devoted to the study of nonlinear vibrations of an electromagnetically actuated cantilever beam subject to harmonic external excitation. The soft actuator that controls the vibratory motion of such components of a robotic structure led to a strongly nonlinear governing differential equation, which was solved in this work by using a highly accurate technique, namely the Optimal Auxiliary Functions Method. Comparisons between the results obtained using our original approach with those of numerical integration show the efficiency and reliability of our procedure, which can be applied to give an explicit analytical approximate solution in two cases: the nonresonant case and the nearly primary resonance. Our technique is effective, simple, easy to use, and very accurate by means of only the first iteration. On the other hand, we present an analysis of the local stability of the model using Routh–Hurwitz criteria and the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix. Global stability is analyzed by means of Lyapunov's direct method and LaSalle's invariance principle. For the first time, the Lyapunov function depends on the approximate solution obtained using OAFM. Also, Pontryagin's principle with respect to the control variable is applied in the construction of the Lyapunov function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of manufacturing, the precision requirements for various high-precision processing equipment and instruments have further increased. Due to its noncontact nature, simple structure, and controllable performance, electromagnetic levitation has broad application prospects in ultra-precision instruments and ground testing of aerospace equipment. Research on vibration isolation technology using electromagnetic levitation is imperative. This paper reviews the latest research achievements of three types of passive isolators and five active isolation actuators. It also summarizes the current research status of analytical methods for passive isolators and the impact of isolator layout. This study explores current isolators' achievements, such as the development of passive isolators that generate negative stiffness and require mechanical springs for uniaxial translational vibrations, single-function actuators, and control systems focused on position and motion vibration control. Based on the current isolators' characteristics, this review highlights future developments, including focusing on passive isolators for heavy loads and multi-axis isolation, addressing complex vibrations, including rotational ones, and developing methods to calculate forces and torques for arbitrary six-DOF movements while improving speed. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of multifunctional actuators to simplify system structures and comprehensive control systems that consider more environmental factors. This provides significant reference value for vibration isolation technology using electromagnetic levitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the transparency of high-transmission-ratio linear actuators is crucial for improving the safety and capability of high-force robotic systems having physical contact with humans in unstructured environments. However, realizing such enhancement is challenging. A proposed solution for active body weight support systems involves employing a macro–mini linear actuator incorporating an electrorheological-fluid brake to connect a high-force unit with an agile, highly back-drivable unit. This paper introduces the use of an electromagnetic (EM) brake with reduced rotor inertia to address this challenge. The increased torque capacity of the EM brake enables integration with a low-gear-ratio linear transmission. The agile translation of the endpoint is propelled by a low-inertia motor (referred to as the "mini") via a pulley-belt mechanism to achieve high transparency. The rotor of the EM brake is linked to the pulley. Damping modulation under high driving force is achieved through the adjustment of the brake torque relative to the rotational speed of the pulley. When the brake is engaged, it prevents any relative motion between the endpoint and the moving carrier. The endpoint is fully controlled by the ball screw of the high-force unit, referred to as the "macro". A scaled prototype was constructed to experimentally characterize the damping force generated by the mini motor and the EM brake. The macro–mini linear actuator, equipped with an intrinsic failsafe feature, can be utilized for active body weight support systems that demand high antigravity force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic actuators, characterized by their lack of pneumatic or hydraulic circuits, rapid response, and ease of control, have the potential to significantly enhance the dynamic performance of automotive active suspensions. However, the complexity associated with their models and the calibration of control parameters hampers the efficiency of control design. To address this issue, this paper proposes a reinforcement learning vibration control strategy for electromagnetic active suspension. Firstly, a half-car dynamic model with electromagnetic active suspension is established. Considering the unknown dynamics of the actuator and its preset convergence performance, an optimal control method based on reinforcement learning is investigated. Secondly, a heuristic PI adaptive dynamic programming algorithm is presented. This method can update to the optimal control solution without requiring model parameters or initial design parameters. Finally, the energy consumption and dynamic performance of this method are analyzed through rapid prototyping control simulation. The results show that the ride comfort of the vehicle suspension can be improved with the given preset convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the design concept of dynamic and static isolation, disturbance-free payload (DFP) satellites can isolate the effects of interference on sensitive payloads, and can realize the high-precision control of the payload better than a traditional spacecraft. Among these, non-contact annular electromagnetic stabilized spacecraft (NCAESS) can effectively alleviate control output problems such as the six-degree-of-freedom coupling and nonlinear effects found in traditional non-contact spacecraft. As a key actuator, the driving current control of the non-contact annular electromagnetic actuator (NCAEA) will have a direct impact on the attitude performance of NCAESS. However, there are multiple interference effects present in the actual driving current control. Therefore, this paper proposes a composite control scheme to improve the driving accuracy by suppressing these multiple disturbances. Firstly, the variable-switching-frequency pulse-width modulation is used to adjust the switching frequency adaptively to reduce switch ripple. Secondly, feedforward compensation is employed to mitigate the back electromotive force. Thirdly, the robust Smith predictor is utilized to compensate for the digital control delay. Finally, an internal model proportional–integral controller with fuzzy rule is applied to adjust the parameters adaptively. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be adopted to enhance the robustness and dynamic response of the driving current effectively, which leads to precise control of the non-contact annular electromagnetic stabilized spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the detailed design, construction and tests of a protype iron-free MRI-compatible electromagnetic actuator. The originality of this proposal lies in the use of the homogeneous static magnetic field B0, present in the MRI bore, to ensure the electromechanical energy conversion. The armature is composed of three rectangular coils in a three-phase arrangement, which makes the actuator very light-weight and compact. The operating principle is that of an AC synchronous motor with a rotating armature. In order to design the actuator, a 3D analytical electromagnetic model is developed to predict the magnetic field produced by the armature winding. Then, a 3D finite element (FE) computation is performed to validate the analytically calculated magnetic field. The developed analytical model is then inserted into an optimization routine based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to obtain the prototype dimensions to be realized. Finally, the prototype is constructed and tested inside an MRI research scanner. The results indicate that the reduction in the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and the geometrical distortion are less than 5% when the actuator is powered with a current of 10 times the rated one and when it is located very close to the subject to be imaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the vibration of automobile powertrain, this paper designs electro–hydraulic composite engine mounts. Subsequently, the dynamic characteristics of the hydraulic mount and the electromagnetic actuator were analyzed and experimentally studied separately. Due to the strong nonlinearity of the hybrid electromechanical engine mount, a Fractional-Order Least-Mean-Square (FGO-LMS) algorithm was proposed to model its secondary path identification. To validate the vibration reduction effect, a rapid control prototype test platform was established, and vibration active control experiments were conducted based on the Multiple–Input Multiple–Output Filter-x Least-Mean-Square (MIMO-FxLMS) algorithm. The results indicate that, under various operating conditions, the vibration transmitted to the chassis from the powertrain was significantly suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laser beam processing, the angle or offset between the auxiliary gas and the laser beam axis have been proved to be two new process optimization parameters for improving cutting speed and quality. However, a traditional electromechanical actuator cannot achieve high-speed and high-precision motion control with a compact structure. This paper proposes a magnetic levitation actuator which could realize the 5-DOF motion control of a lens using six groups of differential electromagnets. At first, the nonlinear characteristic of a magnetic driving force was analyzed by establishing an analytical model and finite element calculation. Then, the dynamic model of the magnetic levitation actuator was established using the Taylor series. And the mathematical relationship between the detected distance and five-degree-of-freedom was determined. Next, the centralized control system based on PID control was designed. Finally, a driving test was carried out to verify the five-degrees-of-freedom motion of the proposed electromagnetic levitation actuator. The results show it can achieve a stable levitation and precision positioning with a desired command motion. It also proves that the proposed magnetic levitation actuator has the potential application in an off-axis laser cutting machine tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of control schemes in improving the performance and reliability of actuators. It provides an overview of various control schemes, including Model Predictive Control, Fuzzy Logic Control, and Neural Network Control, among others. The choice of control scheme depends on the system's characteristics, desired performance, and environmental conditions. The article also summarizes specific research papers that explore different control schemes in depth, covering topics such as fault diagnosis and control strategies for electric vehicles, friction compensation control for robot manipulators, and trajectory control for precision linear stages. The summary concludes by acknowledging the authors and reviewers for their contributions to the special issue. [Extracted from the article]

Brakes are essential parts of any system that involves motion. A few seconds are spent applying the brake, accumulating enough force to retard a system. In case of emergency stops, we need an efficient braking system that acts quickly and safely to avoid any mishaps. This work aims to develop a prototype of an instantaneous braking system, which can stop the motion of a rotating member. The operating principle of the device is the electromagnetic actuation of a solenoid. The actuation of a solenoid is simple and instantaneous. As a result, we could achieve immediate braking of a rotating member. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actuators play a crucial role in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and hold substantial potential for applications in various domains, including reconfigurable metamaterials. This research aims to design, fabricate, and characterize structures for the actuation of the EMA. The electromagnetic actuator overcomes the lack of high drive voltage required by other actuators. The proposed actuator configuration comprises supporting cantilever beams with fixed ends, an integrated coil positioned above the cantilever's movable plate, and a permanent magnet located beneath the cantilever's movable plate to generate a static magnetic field. Utilizing flexible polyimide, the fabrication process of the EMA is simplified, overcoming limitations associated with silicon-based micromachining techniques. Furthermore, this approach potentially enables large-scale production of EMA, with displacement reaching up to 250 μm under a 100 mA current, thereby expanding their scope of applications in manufacturing. To demonstrate the function of the EMA, we integrated it with a metamaterial structure to form a compact, tunable terahertz absorber, demonstrating a potential for reconfigurable electromagnetic space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This paper proposes a new hybrid vibration isolation system that combines an electromagnetic actuator, rubber passive vibration isolator, and magnetorheological damper, and it has a high bearing capacity, high output force, low power consumption, and good impact resistance. First, the overall design scheme of the hybrid vibration isolation system is introduced. The electromagnetic actuator is simulated with electromagnetic–mechanical coupling in the time–frequency domain. A dynamic stiffness test is carried out on the rubber vibration isolator. Then, the adaptive suppression filtered-x least mean square (ASFXLMS) algorithm is proposed to adjust the update of the control weight coefficients, by introducing a suppression factor to improve the robustness of the algorithm. Finally, a hybrid vibration isolation system-based active vibration isolation experimental platform is built, and multifrequency line spectra active–passive vibration isolation experiments are carried out. The results demonstrate that the hybrid vibration isolation system has good control effects in the time–frequency domain and shows a good robustness when subjected to impact. Targeting the problems of conventional active–passive hybrid vibration isolation systems, such as low output force, poor bearing capacity, large power loss and inability to withstand strong impacts, this paper proposes an active–passive hybrid vibration isolation system combining an electromagnetic actuator, rubber passive vibration isolator and magnetorheological damper. The overall design of the hybrid vibration isolation system is first introduced. Then, a two-dimensional electromagnetic frequency-domain simulation is carried out on the electromagnetic actuator to obtain the output characteristics. A three-dimensional modeling is conducted to simulate the electromagnetic–mechanical coupling in the time–frequency domain to obtain nephograms of the magnetic flux diffusion distribution and power loss. Then, a dynamic stiffness test is carried out on the rubber vibration isolator to obtain the dynamic stiffness characteristics and the damping angle curve. At the same time, an adaptive suppression filtered-x least mean square (ASFXLMS) algorithm is proposed to adjust the update of the control weight coefficients to ensure that the current signal does not exceed the effective operating range of the actuator when the electromagnetic actuator is subjected to strong external disturbances. Finally, a hybrid vibration isolation system-based active vibration isolation experimental platform is built, and multifrequency line spectra active–passive vibration isolation experiments are carried out. The results demonstrate that the hybrid vibration isolation system has good control effects in the time–frequency domain and shows good robustness when subjected to impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection of structures and machines from ground vibrations is a deeply felt and widely studied problem. These vibrations are typically generated by the operation of machines, vehicular traffic, seismic events, shocks, explosions, etc., and are generally characterized by frequencies that are not known a priori, making the use of passive isolation systems problematic. Just away from the source, ground vibrations have a predominantly horizontal component. To meet the conflicting requirements of passive isolation systems, which should have higher stiffness when the structure is at rest and lower stiffness when the ground forces it to vibrate, active or semi-active isolation systems can be adopted. In the following article, the possibility of adopting a hybrid isolator is evaluated; it consists of shear-stressed elastomeric pads coupled with an electromagnetic actuator; the latter consists of three coils, two of which are connected to the ground and the other one to the body to be isolated. This kind of isolator has the same flexibility and adaptability as the active ones, with the advantage of ensuring its functioning even in the absence of an external energy source. Its flexibility is due to the presence of a smart element that allows one to tune the characteristics of the isolator to consider the instantaneous isolation requirements. The proposed solution allows one to modify the isolation system's characteristics in a sufficiently wide range of displacements equal to that defined by the maximum allowed deformation of the elastomeric pads. This paper reports the description of the isolation system and an analytical model to describe its restoring force; then, an experimental setup is adopted to identify the parameters of the analytic model; finally, several simulations are reported to compare the analytical and the experimental trends of the restoring force and to characterize the isolator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the requirements of distributed braking and advanced automatic driving, a brake-by-wire unit based on a direct drive pump–valve cooperative is proposed. To realize the wheel cylinder pressure regulation, the hydraulic pump is directly driven by the electromagnetic linear actuator coordinates with the active valve. It has the advantages of rapid response and no deterioration of wheel side space and unsprung mass. Firstly, by analyzing the working characteristics and braking performance requirements of the braking unit, the key parameters of the system are matched. Then, in order to ensure the accuracy of the simulation model, the co-simulation model of the brake unit is established based on the Simulink-AMESim co-simulation platform. Then, the influence law of key parameters on the control performance is analyzed. Finally, the experimental platform of the brake unit is established. The accuracy of the co-simulation model and the feasibility of the brake-by-wire unit based on direct drive pump–valve cooperative are verified through the pressure control experiment and ABS simulation, which shows that the braking unit has good dynamic response and steady-state tracking effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an empirical study of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine with modifications made to increase its effectiveness. The modification was implemented bi-directionally in terms of changes to the compression ratio and changes to the engine's valve train. The compression ratio was increased by 2.3 units by design and a hybrid intake valve opening control was used in the engine's valve train. The hybrid control involved autonomous control of one of the inlet valves with a dedicated electromagnetic actuator. The designed electromagnetic actuator was mounted downstream of the single-cylinder engine's intake system's modified camshaft to control the effective compression pressure build-up. Field calculations were carried out for the electromagnetic actuator's design variants and its current characteristics were determined. The multivariate calculations were carried out in order to find the quasi-optimal geometry of the actuator. The width and height of magnetic field coils and the dimensions of the stator poles were changed, while maintaining the same external dimensions of the actuator to enable its mounting in the cylinder head system. In the next step, the prototype of the actuator was made and placed on the combustion engine in order to conduct the experimental investigations. The work was aimed at improving the internal combustion engine's efficiency at the low load range, as this is load range in which it has low efficiency despite it being the most often used during normal vehicle operation. The original measurement stand was prepared, and many tests were carried out in order to investigate the influence of the electromagnetic valve on the combustion engine characteristic. This improved the internal combustion engine's efficiency at its low-load range by up to 25%. Both calculation and measurement results are presented in form of graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the performance of the active vibration isolation system (AVIS) with electromagnetic actuator, several problems of vibration control are studied. Position control is a critical component in suspension systems, and the position sensor noise can extremely affect the stability of the system, so a tracking differentiator (TD) is proposed to obtain effective differential signal from relative position sensor. In vibration control, the feedback of acceleration combined with PD position feedback is presented to suppress transmission of periodic vibrations. Then, taking the acceleration transmission as the evaluation index, the acceleration transmission under the presented control method is derived, and the influence of control parameters on vibration isolation performance is discussed in detail. The vibration isolation performance is improved from 24.47 dB to 2.4 dB at resonance frequency, and −34 dB attenuation is achieved at 100 Hz with respect to vibration isolation mount system tested on the ground. The experimental results demonstrate that the performance of active vibration isolation system are improved by the proposed acceleration feedback control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of complex systems tends to be approached through a separation and a simplification of the main macro phenomena and, thus, addressed through dedicated techniques, tools, and algorithms. A smart and interesting possibility, instead, is represented by the so-called model-based design analysis, which allows one to interface phenomena coming from interactions of different physical natures. This paper aims to propose a multi-physics Matlab/Simulink®-based architecture that allows one to integrate general and strongly non-linear coupling phenomena, taking efforts from two novel implemented bi-directional co-simulation routines based on Spice® and ESRF Radia® engines. Emphasis is dedicated to the discussion and description of the co-simulation algorithms and processes characteristic of these routines, which allow the analog electronic and the magneto dynamic domain's integration under a single simulation environment. To highlight the reliability of the multi-domain architecture and to validate the reported co-simulation results, a comparison with the experimental measures obtained on an innovative MEMS electromagnetic actuator are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compliance actuation systems are efficient and safe, drawing attention to their development. However, compliance has caused bandwidth loss, instability, and mechanical vibration in robotic systems. Variable physical damping was introduced to address these issues. This paper presents a technique for obtaining variable damping properties using an electromagnetic brake. The relationship mapping of the voltage and the braking torque is studied and applied to the variable damping concept. A new model is proposed to demonstrate the actuation system performance gained by introducing physical damping. The experimental setup comprises an electromagnetic brake and a motor with an integrated controller for speed control and torque feedback. The motor provides the motion, while the electromagnetic brake replicates the damping through a friction mechanism. The variable damping concept was evaluated experimentally using a 1-degree-of-freedom rotational system. Experimental results show that the proposed concept can generate the desired mechanical damping with a high degree of fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an electromagnetic suspension with an electromagnetic actuator, which can improve the riding comfort and stability of the vehicle without changing the safety of traditional MacPherson suspension. First, the electromagnetic suspension structure is introduced, and the principle of the proposed actuator is described in detail. Second, a magnetic flux density model of a single PM ring (permanent magnetic ring) and a magnet assembly are built, and a theoretical analysis of the magnetic flux density is carried out for comparison. Then, the magnetic flux distribution of the magnetic field is simulated and analyzed using the finite element method (FEM), and is compared with theoretical and other experimental data. Finally, a vehicle dynamics model with 7 DOF is built, and vehicle simulations based on the fuzzy PID algorithm are carried out on a C-grade road surface and a deceleration strip. The theoretical results and simulation analyses of the FEM indicate that compared with the MacPherson suspension, the root mean square values of the acceleration of centroid acceleration for the electromagnetic suspension are increased by 59.08% and 33.34%, respectively, on a C-grade road surface and a deceleration strip, and other physical quantities have also been improved. The structure and characteristics of the proposed electromagnetic suspension that improve the riding comfort of the suspension and enhance the stability of the MacPherson suspension are feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance compressor efficiency and meet the requirements of energy conservation and environmental protection, this study designed a direct-drive compressor with an electromagnetic linear actuator. Starting with the structural design and performance analysis of the linear compressor, the working process of the moving-coil linear compressor was analyzed. The basic performance of the designed moving-coil linear motor was simulated and analyzed using the Maxwell software, while the overall performance of the linear compressor was simulated and analyzed using the Simulink software to verify the feasibility of controlling a linear compressor via the direct drive of a linear motor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The proposed measuring workstation, based on a stray magnetic field measurement method, can be generally used in applications where the magnetic hysteresis curves of long open-ended ferromagnetic components need to be determined to describe their magnetic behavior. The current design of the workstation allows measuring the magnetic characteristics of samples with a length and diameter of up to 100 mm and 10 mm, respectively. Therefore, it has already been used to reconstruct the magnetic hysteresis curves of ferromagnetic cores utilized in spacecraft and magnetometric devices and to determine the magnetic properties of various construction components of a complex sensor system to describe their response to an applied magnetic field. In the design and development of measurement systems, such as magnetometric security systems or sophisticated devices such as satellites, it is necessary to consider the magnetic properties of all its parts and components, especially if it contains any magnetometric subsystem. The magnetic parameters of the materials are generally well described by the manufacturers in relation to their unprocessed raw state. However, their magnetic properties change as the subsequent machining or heat treatment is performed. These behavioral reactions of the material may lead to changes in its hysteresis during the magnetization cycles. This effect is necessary to consider, especially in the case of metallic ribbons, the magnetic characteristics of which are usually estimated by measurements performed on toroidal cores. Since the magnetic properties of a toroidal core differ from the magnetic properties of the preferably used open-ended samples, the corresponding measurement method needs to be used to determine its magnetic characteristics. Therefore, in the proposed article, the authors present a stray magnetic field-based method and measuring workstation intended to measure the magnetic hysteresis curves of the ferromagnetic open-ended samples used in the applications concerning the magnetometric systems and stabilization subsystems of small satellites. The physical background of the measurement method is described in detail, as well as the hardware and software used. The magnetic hysteresis curves of a small satellite electromagnetic actuator were measured as an example of an open-ended ferromagnetic component produced from amorphous ribbons, the permeability of which differs in comparison to manufacturer-stated permeability of raw amorphous material. The results are supplemented by measurements of the core characteristics of the used magnetometer probe, as well as by the characteristics of the semi-produced materials used for the production of both investigated cores. The primary advantage of the presented measurement method lies in the ability of design validation prior to the production of the final component and its assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method for generating feedback and controlling multi-coil linear electromagnetic actuators for flapping wing systems. This has been achieved with a system capable of self-lifting, constructed using 3D-printed structures and miniaturised electromagnetic actuators with a combined weight of 3.07 g. Combining multiple magnets and coils into a single actuator with onboard feedback sensors has improved power densities upon existing linear electromagnetic systems present in the literature. The use of closed-loop control of the dynamics of the flapping profile allows for independent control of both flapping frequency and amplitude, which is differentiated from open-loop and resonance-based systems. This change will allow relatively precise control over the flapping dynamics of future systems while improving actuation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, a compact electromagnetic dual actuation positioning system (CEDAPS) based on the Lorentz force principle that features a 10 mm range and nanometer-scale resolution with flexure guides is presented. Firstly, the stiffness of the flexure mechanism is modelled. Secondly, based on it, the primary coil is designed, and from its performance, a suitable secondary coil is made to compensate for the deficiency of the primary actuation subsystem. The characteristics of the forces generated by these coils are also evaluated by an electromagnetic FEA simulation. Thirdly, a control scheme is presented that combines the performances of these two actuators, and finally, a prototype is fabricated to evaluate the performance. The results show a 10 nm resolution for a 10 mm (±5 mm) stroke with low sub-micron sinusoidal tracking errors and nanometer accuracy for step tracking under the proposed control scheme. The thermal properties of the system are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel concept of a rotary electromagnetic actuator for positioning with ultra-low power consumption is presented. The device is based on harnessing potential magnetic energy stored between permanent magnets facing each other with opposing magnetization polarities. When combined with an active electromagnetic control and passive stabilization system, the rotor of the device can switch between stable equilibrium positions in a fast way with a minimal fraction of the power and energy consumption of a traditional electromagnetic actuator. In this paper, a theoretical model, supported by finite element analysis results, is presented. The actuator has been designed in detail to operate as an optical filter wheel actuator. Calculations demonstrate that the device has the potential to provide a power-consumption saving of up to 86.6% and an energy consumption reduction of up to 58.6% with respect to a traditional filter wheel actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Supply delivery tasks are commonly present in hostile regions of natural disasters, in military operations, and in agricultural and urban environments. In this context, the results of this work envision the application of cargo transportation performed by a formation of robots. This paper presents a practical validation of a heterogeneous formation of mobile robots in performing a load lifting, transportation, and delivery task. Assuming that an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is unable to perform a mission by itself due to the presence of an obstacle in the navigation route, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is then assigned to lift the cargo over this UGV, transport the obstacle, and deliver over another UGV. The UAV uses an electromagnetic actuator supported by a cable to pick up the load, the mass of which is 32% of that of the UAV. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed system is capable of performing cargo transport missions and can be scalable for applications such as package delivery in urban or remote areas and supply delivery in conflict or disaster zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate large-displacement magnetic levitation actuation and its stability remain difficult in non-liquid environments. A magnetic levitation actuation and motion control system with active levitation mode is proposed in this paper. The actuating force of the system is generated by the external magnetic field. A neural network proportion-integration-differentiation (PID) controller is designed for active actuation, and a force imbalance principle is built for the step motion mode. Dual electromagnetic actuators are configured to generate a superimposed magnetic field, ensuring that the electromagnetic force on the ball is more uniform and stable than single actuators. Dual-hall-structure sensors are used to measure displacement, thereby reducing overshoot and ensuring stability whilst motivating the ball. Due to the high adaptability of the neural network to complex systems with nonlinear and ambiguous models, the PID controller composed of neurons has stronger adaptability through tuning the PID controller parameters automatically. Furthermore, the proposed controller can solve the shortcoming that the deviation between the controlled object and the steady-state operating point increases and the tracking performance deteriorates rapidly. The strong robustness and stability in active levitation and motion control is achieved during both ascending and descending processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a type of direct-drive gearshift system integrated into a motor-transmission coupled drive system is introduced. It used two electromagnetic linear actuators (ELAs) to perform gearshift events. The adoption of ELAs simplifies the architecture of the gearshift system and has the potential to further optimize gearshift performance. However, a number of nonlinearities in the gearshift system should be investigated in order to enhance the performance of the direct-drive gearshift system. An active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) method was selected as the principal shifting control method due to the simple methodology and strong reliability. The nonlinear characteristics of the electromagnetic force produced by the ELA were subsequently reduced using the inverse system method (ISM) technique. The ADRC approach also incorporated an acceleration feedforward module to enhance the precision of displacement control. The extended state observer (ESO) module used a nonlinear function in place of the original function to improve the ability to reject disturbances. Comparative simulations and experiments were carried out between the ADRC method and improved ADRC (IADRC) method. The outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed control method. The shift force fluctuates less, and the shift jerk decreases noticeably during the synchronization procedure. In conclusion, combined with the optimized IADRC method, the direct-drive gearshift system equipped with ELAs shows remarkable gearshift performance, and it has the potential to be widely used in motor−transmission coupled drive systems for EVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an electromagnetic actuator is proposed to improve the driving performance of magnetic levitation transportation applied to ultra-clean manufacturing. The electromagnetic actuator mainly includes the stator with the Halbach array and the mover with a symmetrical structure. First, the actuator principle and structure are illustrated. Afterward, in order to select a suitable secondary structure and analyze the characteristics of the actuator, the electromagnetic characteristics of actuators with different secondary structures are analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). Analysis results show that the actuator adopting the secondary structure with a Halbach array will increase the electromagnetic force and working stability. The secondary with the three-section Halbach array is selected for the electromagnetic actuator. Then, the influence of secondary permanent magnet (PM) thickness on the electromagnetic force is analyzed by FEM. The results indicate that the increase in PM thickness will lead to increased electromagnetic force and decreased utilization ratio of PM. Finally, a prototype of an electromagnetic actuator is built, and experiments are implemented. The correctness of the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the electromagnetic actuator are verified by experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact, rapid, and portable off-chip pneumatic control valve is significant for the miniaturization and integration of external pneumatic systems for microfluidic chips. In this work, an off-chip microvalve with a high-speed electromagnetic switch actuator and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material valve body has been designed to be easily encapsulated, simulated using MATLAB/Simulink software, and tested in a micromixer. Multi-physical coupling mathematical models are developed based on the elastic deformation force of the valve membrane, the driving force of the valve core, and the fluid force in the microchannel. Two single microvalves are used to form a three-way microvalve, which can control the air pressure in a pneumatic microchannel on the microfluidic chip. The relationship between the flow–duty cycle, the flow–pressure difference of the single electromagnetic microvalve, and the load pressure of the three-way microvalve is simulated and analyzed. Sample mixing performance controlled by the proposed off-chip three-way microvalve was tested to evaluate the pneumatic control capability, and the results show that the undertaking can fully satisfy the needs of a pneumatic microfluidic chip for most applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively control the low-frequency vibration of ship machinery, based on the improved multi-line spectrum adaptive control algorithm, a two-degree-of-freedom (two-DOF) active-passive hybrid vibration isolator composed of an electromagnetic actuator, rubber spring, and the hydraulic device is proposed. The dynamic model of the two-DOF vibration isolation system is established and the main control force demand of the vibration isolation system at different damping forces is analyzed. By introducing the improved wavelet packet decomposition algorithm with the Hartley block least mean square algorithm to the filter-x least mean square (FxLMS) algorithm, an improved wavelet packet Hartley block filter-x least mean square (IWPHB-FxLMS) algorithm is established. The experimental results show that the IWPHB-FxLMS algorithm has better control performance. Compared with the traditional FxLMS algorithm, the IWPHB-FxLMS control algorithm improves the convergence speed by 91.7% and the line spectrum power spectrum attenuation by 58.1%. The active-passive hybrid vibration isolator is based on multi-line spectrum adaptive control and can achieve good control effects under the excitation of multi-frequency line spectrum and constant frequency line spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel optimal 3-DoF micro-conveyor based on electromagnetic digital actuators array is proposed. The micro-conveyor consists of four electromagnetic digital actuators. Two specific control strategies have been built to realize the 3-DoF planner conveyance task. A static analytical model and a dynamic semi-analytical model based on the principle have been built for the optimal design, analysis, and necessary calculation of a prototype. The prototype was manufactured by micro-fabrication technology and several experiments were carried out. The experimental results are in good agreement with the modeling results. Benefited from the optimal design and high fabrication precision, the proposed micro-conveyor is proved to be better in magnetic homogeneity of elementary actuators, output stability, long range conveyance linearity, and have one more DoF (planar rotation) compared to the previous work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrostatic actuation system based on linear actuators improves the complex piston force and long transmission path of the traditional electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). However, new nonlinear factors in the linear actuator and direct-driven piston are introduced into the system, which present challenges to system modeling and control. To improve the accuracy of system performance prediction, this paper analyzed the working characteristics of an electromagnetic direct-drive hydrostatic actuation system (EDHAS). A dynamic model of the electromagnetic linear actuator including the LuGre friction model was established. The high-pressure internal leakage of the direct-drive pump was described by an inclined eccentric leakage model. The Karnopp friction model was applied to solve the problem of switching between viscous and sliding friction in a cylinder. The hydraulic components model was established based on AMESim, and the electromagnetic linear actuator model and the system controller model were established in Matlab/Simulink, to establish a refined electromechanical–hydraulic co-simulation model of the EDHAS with electromagnetic, mechanical, hydraulic, and control coupling. A system performance test platform was built. The simulation results of the direct-drive piston displacement, the system pressure, the system flow rate, and the cylinder displacement match well with experimental results, which verifies the validity and accuracy of the refined modeling method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more CubeSats cooperate to implement complex space exploration missions. In order to store and deploy more CubeSats in a rocket-launch mission, this paper presents a new CubeSat deployer with large-capacity storage. Different from the traditional one with the compression springs, the deployer with electromagnetic actuators is proposed to achieve the transportation and release. A new electromagnetic actuator with high thrust density was applied to adjust the release speeds of the CubeSats with different masses, and a new electromagnetic convey platform with attractive force was designed to transfer the stacked CubeSats to the release window. The equivalent magnetic circuit method was used to the establish electromagnetic force models. The simplified dynamic models of the transportation and release were built. The magnetic field, electromagnetic force, and motion characteristics were analyzed. The prototype was developed to verify the performance of the proposed configuration of the deployer with electromagnetic actuators. The experimental results show that stacked CubeSats can be transported smoothly even under constant external interference. The launcher achieved high thrust density and effectively adjusted the separation speed of the CubeSats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, to further improve the dynamic performance and steady-state accuracy of the electromagnetic linear actuator (EMLA) for the direct-drive system, the adaptive non-singular terminal sliding mode controller (ANTSMC) based on an improved disturbance observer (IDOB) is proposed. Accurate modeling of the EMLA based on the LuGre friction model was obtained by identification. Aiming at the continuous disturbance of the system, a non-singular terminal sliding mode control based on improved exponential reaching law (IERL) is designed, which is combined with the advantages of fuzzy control. Adaptive adjustment of the IERL gain is achieved to ensure finite time convergence of the tracking error while suppressing system jitter. Based on the IDOB to achieve effective observation compensation under noise disturbance and further improve the system robustness. The stability of the control is analyzed based on the Lyapunov function. The results show that the proposed method suppresses the jitter and improves the tracking performance and robustness of the servo system for different desired trajectories effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal switches contribute to efficient and safe thermal management of components and overall systems in various technical applications by actively controlling heat transfer in response to varying thermal loads and ambient conditions. Heat pipes are passive heat transfer devices constituting an integral part of various thermal management systems such as in spacecraft or consumer electronics thermal control. Heat pipes also form a promising approach for thermal switches due to their high effective thermal conductivity. In this paper, a wickless copper-water heat pipe based thermal switch with an electromagnetic linear actuator is presented. The magnetically actuated motion of a plunger integrated into the heat pipe affects the latent heat transport cycle leading to a switchable heat transfer. Thermal measurements conducted to determine the total thermal resistance of the heat pipe demonstrate the efficacy of the thermal switch. It was found that the thermal resistance of the heat pipe was increased by up to 53% in off state while the heat pipe performance in on state was not significantly affected by the integrated mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow control of liquid metals based on the actual flow condition is important in many metallurgical applications. For instance, the liquid steel flow in the mould of a continuous caster strongly influences the product quality. The flow can be modified by an electromagnetic brake (EMBr). However, due to the lack of appropriate flow measurement techniques, the control of those actuators is usually not based on the actual flow condition. This article describes the recent developments of the Contactless Inductive Flow Tomography (CIFT) towards a real-time monitoring system, which can be used as an input to the control loop for an EMBr. CIFT relies on measuring the flow-induced perturbation of an applied magnetic field and the solution of an underlying linear inverse problem. In order to implement the CIFT reconstructions in combination with EMBr, two issues have to be solved: (i) compensation of the effects of the change in EMBr strength on the CIFT measurement system and (ii) a real-time solution of the inverse problem. We present solutions of both problems for a model of a continuous caster with a ruler-type EMBr. The EMBr introduces offsets of the measured magnetic field that are several orders of magnitude larger than the very flow-induced perturbations. The offset stems from the ferromagnetic hysteresis exhibited by the ferrous parts of the EMBr in the proximity of the measurement coils. Compensation of the offset was successfully achieved by implementing a numerical model of hysteresis to predict the offset. Real-time reconstruction was achieved by precalculating the computationally heavy matrix inverses for a predefined set of regularization parameters and choosing the optimal one in every measurement frame. Finally, we show that this approach does not hinder the reconstruction quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A piezoelectric actuator (PEA) has the characteristics of high control precision and no electromagnetic interference. To improve the degree of freedom (DOF) to adapt to more working scenes, a piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid-driven two-DOF actuator is proposed. The PEA adopts the composite structure of the lever amplification mechanism and triangular amplification mechanism. The structure effectively amplifies the output displacement of the piezoelectric stack and increases the clamping force between the driving foot and the mover. The electromagnetic actuator (EMA) adopts a multi-stage fractional slot concentrated winding permanent magnet synchronous actuator, which can better match the characteristics of PEA. The structure and working principle of the actuator are introduced, the dynamic analysis is carried out, and the factors affecting the clamping force are obtained. At the same time, the air gap magnetic field is analyzed, and the structural size of the actuator is optimized. The experiment shows that the maximum driving speed can reach 348 mm/s, the load capacity is 3 kg, the optimal initial rotor angle is 49°, the maximum torque is 2.9 N·m and the maximum speed is 9 rad/s, which proves the stability and feasibility of the actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro conveyance devices are important elements in high precision positioning systems, which play vital roles in many scientific and industrial fields and are widely needed in many applications. This work presents the modeling and experimental validation of a pre-designed and fabricated micro conveyance device. This micro conveyance device consists of eight elementary electromagnetic digital actuators and can realize a conveyance application based on a stick-slip driving principle. A dynamic model based on the prototype device was established for stick-slip displacement simulation. Four sub-models of the dynamic model regarding the calculation of actuation force and friction force within the device were built and integrated. Experiments focusing on the conveyance application were carried out to test the performance of the prototype device. It has been observed that the simulated results obtained using the dynamic model were in good agreement with the experiment results. The proposed device suggests an alternative to the micro conveyance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrothermal micromirrors have become an important type of micromirrors due to their large angular scanning range and large linear motion. Typically, electrothermal micromirrors do not have a torsional bar, so they can easily generate linear motion. In this paper, electrothermal micromirrors based on different thermal actuators are reviewed, and also the mechanisms of those actuators are analyzed, including U-shape, chevron, thermo-pneumatic, thermo-capillary and thermal bimorph-based actuation. Special attention is given to bimorph based-electrothermal micromirrors due to their versatility in tip-tilt-piston motion. The exemplified applications of each type of electrothermal micromirrors are also presented. Moreover, electrothermal micromirrors integrated with electromagnetic or electrostatic actuators are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-factories are characterized by high modularity, reconfigurability and mobility. To achieve this, the micro-factory needs a conveyor which is able to transport objects in as many degrees of freedom (DoF) as possible, executes optimal trajectories of these objects in terms of energy and precision and is robust to withstand possible malfunctions. In this article, we present the planar conveyance of objects on a digital actuation array following trajectories generated by an adapted A* algorithm. The A* algorithm exploits the predictions of a developed dynamic model of the system to find the optimal paths (in terms of energy) on the conveyor surface. The dynamic model predictions were compared to experimental measurements, obtaining low root-mean-square-errors for all conditions. Uni-dimensional conveyance tests characterized the influence of the control parameters. Then, bi-dimensional motions characterized the conveyor's performance. From the bi-dimensional test, a position root-mean-square-error of 20 μm was measured for a 1109 μm open-loop controlled trajectory. The modular nature of the array allows easy scaling and avoiding possible malfunctioning zones, increasing the robustness of the micro-conveyor. The experimental tests demonstrate that the proposed device is an interesting alternative for the micro-factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This study focuses on the design of a 3-DOF spherical motor for the camera module of the humanoid and autonomous systems. The proposed 3-DOF spherical motor has a wide application prospect in joints and eyeballs of the humanoid, unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous cars, walking robots, and other fields. In keeping with consumers' preferences for electromagnetic motors of ever smaller power consumption, it is necessary to improve the power efficiency of the electromagnetic motors used in unmanned aerial vehicles and robots without sacrificing their performance. Three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) spherical motors have been developed for these applications. Accordingly, this study modifies the 3-DOF spherical motor proposed by Hirata's group in a previous study (Heya, A.; Hirata, K.; Niguchi, N., Dynamic modeling and control of three-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic actuator for image stabilization, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics 2018, 54, 8207905.) to accomplish a 3-DOF spherical motor for camera module with higher torque output in the large rotation angle. The main contribution of this study is to improve the static torque in the X- and Y-axes with an improved electromagnetic structure and a particular controlling strategy. In the structural design, eight symmetrical coils with specific coil combination are used instead of conventional four symmetrical coils. In this study, the development of the proposed 3-DOF spherical motor was constructed and verified by using a 3D finite-element method (3D FEM). The simulation results show that the proposed 3-DOF spherical motor has higher torque output in the large rotation angle when compared to the original 3-DOF spherical motor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress in material and manufacturing technologies enables the emergence of new research areas in electromagnetic actuator applications. Permanent magnet (PM) linear motors are preferred to achieve precise position control and to meet the need for high dynamic forces in the seismic shake tables that are used in analyzing reactions of structure models. The design approaches on the linear motors used in the seismic shake tables may vary depending on the desired force, stroke and acceleration values. Especially, the maximum width, the maximum depth, the maximum linear motor length in longitudinal direction and the maximum travelling distance parameters are the primary design criteria in seismic shake table drive systems. In this paper, a design approach for a linear PM brushless direct current (BLDC) motor with high force/volume, force/weight and force/input power ratios is developed. The design was analyzed using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) approaches through the ANSYS Maxwell software. The mathematically designed linear BLDC motor was manufactured and subjected to displacement, acceleration and force tests that are used in seismic analyses. The results of the experimental tests validate the convenience of the proposed design approach and the selected parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the low-frequency isolation performance of optical platforms, an electromagnetic active-negative-stiffness generator (EANSG) was proposed, using nano-resolution laser interferometry sensors to monitor the micro-vibration of an optical platform, and precision electromagnetic actuators integrated with a relative displacement feedback strategy to counteract the positive stiffness of pneumatic springs within a micro-vibration stroke, thereby producing high-static-low-dynamic stiffness characteristics. The effectiveness of the method was verified by both theoretical and experimental analyses. The experimental results show that the vertical natural frequency of the optical platform was reduced from 2.00 to 1.37 Hz, the root mean square of displacement was reduced from 1.28 to 0.69 μm, and the root mean square of velocity was reduced from 14.60 to 9.33 μm/s, proving that the proposed method can effectively enhance the low frequency isolation performance of optical platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a simulation model, optimization strategy and the experimental validation of a solenoid electromagnetic actuator that is widely used in industry components, especially in pneumatic/hydraulic valves. In the preliminary design, a two-dimensional magnetostatic finite element analysis (FEA) model is proposed and verified by static push-force comparisons between the two-dimensional FEA model, the three-dimensional FEA model and the experimental results. Then, a static and dynamic performance improvement strategy is proposed. To optimize the static push-force of the actuator, a static multi-objective optimization strategy for actuator structure parameters was developed based on a genetic algorithm. An experimental analysis of dynamic performance was carried out to improve the dynamic response of the actuator. By using a high-precision measuring device in the static-push-force test and dynamic direct current-input-signal tests, the comparisons results between the manufactured conventional actuator and the manufactured optimal actuators showed that the proposed optimization strategy was feasible. Through the static optimization strategy, the average static push-force in the working stroke was improved by 21.8%. Moreover, through the dynamic optimization strategy, the cutoff frequency of the push force response was improved by 129.1%, 79.6% and 74.3%, respectively, at three key positions in the working stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three electromagnetic-based linear actuators, namely a solenoid actuator (SA), a moving coil actuator (MCA), and a moving magnet actuator (MMA), are proposed for driving the needle in a jet dispenser. The total resistance force acting on the needle during operation, including the damping force, the friction force, the inertia force, the compression spring force, and the backpressure, are measured by an experimental model. The thrust force required to overcome this resistance force is then predicted for each actuator using finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. Simple two-dimensional models of the SA, MCA, and MMA are constructed using the same coil dimensions in every case in order to facilitate an objective comparison between them. Simulations in ANSYS Maxwell software are then performed to adjust the specific dimensions of each actuator structure in such a way as to generate the thrust force required to drive the needle in the jet dispenser with the minimum excitation current possible. The simulation results show that for a maximum needle driving frequency of 250 Hz and a stroke length of 0.5 mm, the excitation current required to generate the necessary thrust force is equal to 1.8 A and 1.9 A for the MCA and MMA models, respectively, when a return spring is not used, and 2.2 A, 3.8 A, and 4.1 A for the SA, MCA, and MMA models, respectively, when a return spring is employed. It is additionally shown that the thrust force drop of the MCA and MMA models is far less than that of the SA model, about 0.7%, 1.8%, and 61% for three models, respectively. Three preliminary designs for jet dispensers incorporating the proposed actuators are also generated for reference purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camless valvetrains have become a promising direction to improve the performance of internal combustion engines. In this paper, an electric load simulator is proposed to simulate and implement gas force on the exhaust valve for camless valvetrains under semi-physical conditions. According to test data, the 1D gas-dynamic model was established to get boundary conditions and initial values for 3D finite element simulation. The 3D finite element simulation model was solved to obtain the gas force characteristics of the exhaust valve for camless valvetrains. The electromagnetic actuator was designed according to the system scheme and performance requirements of the electric load simulator. The PID (Proportion Integration Differentiation) algorithm was designed to control the output force of the electric load simulator and reproduce the gas force characteristics of the exhaust valve. It was found that the output force of the electric load simulator could follow the variation of the target gas force and meet the performance requirements of the electric load simulator based on simulation results and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A valveless electromagnetic (EM) micropump with a matrix-patterned magnetic polymer composite actuator membrane structure was successfully designed and fabricated. The composite membrane structure is made of polydemethylsiloxane (PDMS) that is mixed with magnetic particles and patterned in matrix blocks. The matrix magnetic composite membrane was fabricated using a soft lithography process and expected to have a compact structure having sufficient magnetic force for membrane deformation and maintained membrane flexibility. The magnetic membrane was integrated with the microfluidic system and functionally tested. The experimental results show that a magnetic composite actuator membrane containing of 6% NdFeB is capable of producing a maximum membrane deflection up to 12.87 μm. The functionality test of the EM actuator for fluid pumping resulted in an extremely low sample injection flow rate of approximately 6.523 nL/min. It was also concluded that there is a correlation between the matrix structure of the actuator membrane and the fluid pumping flow rate. The injection flow rate of the EM micropump can be controlled by adjusting the input power supplied to the EM coil, and this is believed to improve the injection accuracy of the drug dosage and have potential in improving the proficiency of the existing drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portable transient electromagnetic (TEM) systems can be well adapted to various terrains, including mountainous, woodland, and other complex terrains. They are widely used for the detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO). As the core component of the portable TEM system, the sensor is constructed with a transmitting coil and a receiving coil. Based on the primary field of the transmitting coil and internal noise of the receiving coil, the design and testing of such a sensor is described in detail. Results indicate that the primary field of the transmitting coil depends on the diameter, mass, and power of the coil. A higher mass-power product and a larger diameter causes a stronger primary field. Reducing the number of turns and increasing the clamp voltage reduces the switch-off time of the transmitting current effectively. Increasing the cross-section of the wire reduces the power consumption, but greatly increases the coil's weight. The study of the receiving coil shows that the internal noise of the sensor is dominated by the thermal noise of the damping resistor. Reducing the bandwidth of the system and increasing the size of the coil reduces the internal noise effectively. The cross-sectional area and the distance between the sections of the coil have little effect on the internal noise. A less damped state can effectively reduce signal distortion. Finally, a portable TEM sensor with both a transmitting coil (constructed with a diameter, number of turns, and transmitting current of 0.5 m, 30, and 5 A, respectively) and a receiving coil (constructed with a length and resonant frequency of 5.6 cm and 50 kHz, respectively) was built. The agreement between experimental and calculated results confirms the theory used in the sensor design. The responses of an 82 mm mortar shell at different distances were measured and inverted by the differential evolution (DE) algorithm to verify system performance. Results show that the sensor designed in this study can not only detect the 82 mm mortar shell within 1.2 m effectively but also locate the target precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radar imaging based on electromagnetic vortex can achieve azimuth resolution without relative motion. The present paper investigates this imaging technique with the use of a single receiving antenna through theoretical analysis and experimental results. Compared with the use of multiple receiving antennas, the echoes from a single receiver cannot be used directly for image reconstruction using Fourier method. The reason is revealed by using the point spread function. An additional phase is compensated for each mode before imaging process based on the array parameters and the elevation of the targets. A proof-of-concept imaging system based on a circular phased array is created, and imaging experiments of corner-reflector targets are performed in an anechoic chamber. The azimuthal image is reconstructed by the use of Fourier transform and spectral estimation methods. The azimuth resolution of the two methods is analyzed and compared through experimental data. The experimental results verify the principle of azimuth resolution and the proposed phase compensation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water content is a key variable for understanding and modelling ecohydrological processes. Low-cost electromagnetic sensors are increasingly being used to characterize the spatio-temporal dynamics of soil water content, despite the reduced accuracy of such sensors as compared to reference electromagnetic soil water content sensing methods such as time domain reflectometry. Here, we present an effective calibration method to improve the measurement accuracy of low-cost soil water content sensors taking the recently developed SMT100 sensor (Truebner GmbH, Neustadt, Germany) as an example. We calibrated the sensor output of more than 700 SMT100 sensors to permittivity using a standard procedure based on five reference media with a known apparent dielectric permittivity (1 < Ka < 34.8). Our results showed that a sensor-specific calibration improved the accuracy of the calibration compared to single "universal" calibration. The associated additional effort in calibrating each sensor individually is relaxed by a dedicated calibration setup that enables the calibration of large numbers of sensors in limited time while minimizing errors in the calibration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]