Alberto Bonastre - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Alberto Bonastre

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2015

ABSTRACT As a major contaminant in ground water, nitrate determination is a common practice in en... more ABSTRACT As a major contaminant in ground water, nitrate determination is a common practice in environmental analysis, especially the continuous and simultaneous monitoring of its concentration at many different points. For this task, sensor networks are a promising tool, although they require the use of sensors with special features, such as those of Ion Selective Electrodes (ISEs). Unfortunately, their measurements are-to a greater or lesser extent-affected by the presence of other coexisting (interfering) ions. A new methodology is then proposed in this work to deal with major interferences (chloride and bicarbonate in the case of nitrate determination), in such a way that the results obtained in the measurements of the content of NO3− with a nitrate selective electrode can be considered as virtually error-free from these interferences. For this purpose, a new sensor node has been developed; it consists of three ISEs (NO3-, Cl-, and HCO3−) coupled to a low-consumption, low-cost microcontroller (a small chip containing all the computer components), which receives and processes all signals coming from the electrodes. This information is suitably treated, as described in detail in this paper, to provide an accurate estimation of the true value of NO3− concentration.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2014

This paper is based on our previous work consisting of the development and deployment of a wirele... more This paper is based on our previous work consisting of the development and deployment of a wireless sensor network for the continuous in-line monitoring of the content of nitrates in a river in Eastern Spain. We present new contributions that significantly enhance its applicability, improve its features, and increase its reliability and useful life.

Sensors, 2011

We present a set of novel low power wireless sensor nodes designed for monitoring wooden masterpi... more We present a set of novel low power wireless sensor nodes designed for monitoring wooden masterpieces and historical buildings, in order to perform an early detection of pests. Although our previous star-based system configuration has been in operation for more than 13 years, it does not scale well for sensorization of large buildings or when deploying hundreds of nodes. In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of a cluster-based dynamic-tree hierarchical Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) architecture where realistic assumptions of radio frequency data transmission are applied to cluster construction, and a mix of heterogeneous nodes are used to minimize economic cost of the whole system and maximize power saving of the leaf nodes. Simulation results show that the specialization of a fraction of the nodes by providing better antennas and some energy harvesting techniques can dramatically extend the life of the entire WSN and reduce the cost of the whole system. A demonstration of the proposed architecture with a new routing protocol and applied to termite pest detection has been implemented on a set of new nodes and should last for about 10 years, but it provides better scalability, reliability and deployment properties.

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2000

ABSTRACT This paper describes a wireless sensor-actuator network to monitor and manage thermostat... more ABSTRACT This paper describes a wireless sensor-actuator network to monitor and manage thermostatically controlled loads, mainly heating and cooling loads, which accounts for around 50% of the residential electricity consumption. A decentralized system is proposed to modify the electrical power demand according to a target demand profile and a set of prefixed constraints, maintaining minimum comfort levels and minimizing the infrastructure requirements. This solution offers the residential customers a flexible, powerful and low-cost tool to modify their power demand profile, avoiding any additional wiring and extending the wireless sensor-actuator networks technology towards small customers, with around 30% share of the global electricity consumption. The proposed system has been implemented and assessed in a university environment, where heating and cooling loads have been monitored and controlled. Acquired data are also included in this paper as well as an example of the forced switching-off time periods applied on the controlled loads, leading to approximately 15% reduction of the peak power demand.

Laboratory Automation & Information Management, 1997

On-line monitoring of the content of ethanol during an alcoholic fermentation process is carried ... more On-line monitoring of the content of ethanol during an alcoholic fermentation process is carried out by means of an expert system based on rule nets. Time has been fully incorporated into the reasoning of the expert system through several timers, which help the rule net to emulate the human reasoning without increasing its complexity. The hierarchy of the variables used is also described in order to understand the whole system. 0 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 1993

Peris, M., Maquieira, A., Puchades, R., Chirivella, V., Ors, R., Serrano, .I. and Bonastre, A., 1... more Peris, M., Maquieira, A., Puchades, R., Chirivella, V., Ors, R., Serrano, .I. and Bonastre, A., 1993. An expert system as a tool for the specification and intelligent control of a flow injection analysis system. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems: Laboratory Information Management, 21: 243-247.

Advanced Science Letters, 2013

2015 Asia-Pacific Conference on Computer Aided System Engineering, 2015

Sensors, 2015

Several systems have been proposed to monitor wireless sensor networks (WSN). These systems may b... more Several systems have been proposed to monitor wireless sensor networks (WSN). These systems may be active (causing a high degree of intrusion) or passive (low observability inside the nodes). This paper presents the implementation of an active hybrid (hardware and software) monitor with low intrusion. It is based on the addition to the sensor node of a monitor node (hardware part) which, through a standard interface, is able to receive the monitoring information sent by a piece of software executed in the sensor node. The intrusion on time, code, and energy caused in the sensor nodes by the monitor is evaluated as a function of data size and the interface used. Then different interfaces, commonly available in sensor nodes, are evaluated: serial transmission (USART), serial peripheral interface (SPI), and parallel. The proposed hybrid monitor provides highly detailed information, barely disturbed by the measurement tool (interference), about the behavior of the WSN that may be used to evaluate many properties such as performance, dependability, security, etc. Monitor nodes are self-powered and may be removed after the monitoring campaign to be reused in other campaigns and/or WSNs. No other hardware-independent monitoring platforms with such low interference have been found in the literature.

Laboratory Robotics and Automation, 1998

After developing a control expert system that has been applied to the monitoring of a flowinjecti... more After developing a control expert system that has been applied to the monitoring of a flowinjection analysis system, we observed the limitations of a monolithic implementation; therefore, a distributed version of this knowledge-based system seemed to be necessary. In this article, a distributed expert system architecture is presented, based on the use of generic nodes connected by means of networks. In this way, we can implement a very flexible control system capable of adapting itself to different situations. At the same time, it is possible to take advantage of the power offered by the new communication technologies in the field of analytical chemistry.

… , Systems, Services and …, 2008

The IEEE 802.15.4 protocol is a flexible technology with great potential for wireless sensor netw... more The IEEE 802.15.4 protocol is a flexible technology with great potential for wireless sensor networks applications. The standard distinguishes two network modes; beacon-enabled and nonbeaconenabled. In this paper, the performance study of beaconed and non-beaconed modes of IEEE 802.15.4 is evaluated using on site PER measurements. The tests are carryout in an urban outdoor environment with commercial available equipment. Likewise, the impact of Bluetooth interference over IEEE 802.15.4 modes is evaluated. The results show that Bluetooth interference and the mode selected have effects over the PER. Furthermore, for distances between 3 to 10 meters the PER doesn't show significance distance dependency.

As industrial systems grow in complexity, new methodologies for the implementation of their contr... more As industrial systems grow in complexity, new methodologies for the implementation of their control systems are being developed. Following this line, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to the implementation of distributed control systems offers several advantages. However, some problems related to the collaboration of both techniques arise, being added to the inherent distributed systems and AI issues. In

International Conference on Wireless Networks, 2009

In citric fruits conservation and maturation systems it is very important to have faithful inform... more In citric fruits conservation and maturation systems it is very important to have faithful information about certain parameters that indicate the fruit state, and that allow to take the appropriate proofreaders actions in order to achieve an optimum controlled fruit maturation. In front of the rudimentary control systems that are being used at the present time, the Fault Tolerant Systems Group of the Polytechnic University of Valencia together with POLARIS TECHNOLOGY S.L company, have developed a new distributed control system based on CAN and Internet networks that allows a remote pursuit and control in real time of these processes. In each cold store, there are a strategically distributed set of sensors and actuators that are interconnected by means of a CAN network. One node centralizes the information, so that after its filtrate and storage is overturned on a backbone CAN network that interconnects all cold stores with a PC in charge of carrying out a second treatment and storage of the information and its diffusion to Internet. Finally, each user (authenticated by means of a security system) can be connected to his installation via an Internet connection or using a GPRS or WAP mobile telephone, to see the process evolution or to modify the parameters of each cold store. This system is completely operative and it has been already installed in different companies of several countries, obtaining very interesting results.

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2004

A new layered architecture for the implementation of intelligent distributed control systems is p... more A new layered architecture for the implementation of intelligent distributed control systems is proposed. This architecture distinguishes four levels in a distributed system. Upper layer consists of a digital control layer, where high level decisions are taken. This level is implemented by means of intelligent software agents and distributed expert systems that carry out the discrete control functions, system supervision

2007 IEEE International Workshop on Radio-Frequency Integration Technology, 2007

This paper shows the possibility to use Bluetooth for wireless short range communication in an in... more This paper shows the possibility to use Bluetooth for wireless short range communication in an industrial environment. Traditionally many types of devices have been delivered as mechanical devices and more or less all or the intelligence and control has been added. Nowadays there is a growing trend towards a higher level of built-in intelligence in the devices, constituting the intelligent nodes. This type of systems allows the implementation of highly flexible control systems capable of adapting themselves to different situations. With the introduction of RF systems, another dimension is aggregated, the possibility to wirelessly connect to the devices. The technology makes it possible to easily access the built-in user interfaces through portable devices but also to access the device data without the need for a physical connection. Bluetooth is one of the most promising personal wireless network technologies. The automation industry is showing interest in using RF systems for many industrial applications.

2005 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, 2005

The wireless communications field is in continuous growth and revolution. The current trend towar... more The wireless communications field is in continuous growth and revolution. The current trend toward the use of distributed wireless systems is due to these systems have demonstrated to be a good option due to its flexibility and power. In this line, nowadays there is an enormous demand of wireless connectivity for any industrial control applications, included critical systems. In this paper we want to discuss possibilities and necessary developments to set up wireless communication for industrial applications in general and critical systems in particular. Furthermore, an abstract definition of a layered architecture for the development of intelligent and distributed control systems based on wireless sensor networks is proposed.

This paper describes the application of wireless sensor network to monitor and control electrical... more This paper describes the application of wireless sensor network to monitor and control electrical loads in residential areas, mainly heating and cooling loads, which accounts for around 50% of the residential electricity consumption. In this way, a control algorithm has also been implemented in order to select the optimum load control strategy according to a target demand profile and a

In this paper a new analytical method for control systems validation is presented. The control sy... more In this paper a new analytical method for control systems validation is presented. The control system will be implemented by means of expert systems based on rule nets, which are a formalism that seeks to express an automatism in a similar way to as would make it a human being: &amp;quot;IF antecedents THEN consequent&amp;quot;. But at the same time rule