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Article
Publication date: 6 October 2023

Omotayo Farai, Nicole Metje, Carl Anthony, Ali Sadeghioon and David Chapman

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), as a solution for buried water pipe monitoring, face a new set of challenges compared to traditional application for above-ground infrastructure…

Abstract

Purpose

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), as a solution for buried water pipe monitoring, face a new set of challenges compared to traditional application for above-ground infrastructure monitoring. One of the main challenges for underground WSN deployment is the limited range (less than 3 m) at which reliable wireless underground communication can be achieved using radio signal propagation through the soil. To overcome this challenge, the purpose of this paper is to investigate a new approach for wireless underground communication using acoustic signal propagation along a buried water pipe.

Design/methodology/approach

An acoustic communication system was developed based on the requirements of low cost (tens of pounds at most), low power supply capacity (in the order of 1 W-h) and miniature (centimetre scale) size for a wireless communication node. The developed system was further tested along a buried steel pipe in poorly graded SAND and a buried medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe in well graded SAND.

Findings

With predicted acoustic attenuation of 1.3 dB/m and 2.1 dB/m along the buried steel and MDPE pipes, respectively, reliable acoustic communication is possible up to 17 m for the buried steel pipe and 11 m for the buried MDPE pipe.

Research limitations/implications

Although an important first step, more research is needed to validate the acoustic communication system along a wider water distribution pipe network.

Originality/value

This paper shows the possibility of achieving reliable wireless underground communication along a buried water pipe (especially non-metallic material ones) using low-frequency acoustic propagation along the pipe wall.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 20 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2023

Mohit Jamwal, Honey Kanojia and Neeraj Dhiman

Wearable medical devices (WMDs) are improving people’s health and well-being in a noble way, as these aid in effective personal health monitoring, remote surveillance and overall…

Abstract

Purpose

Wearable medical devices (WMDs) are improving people’s health and well-being in a noble way, as these aid in effective personal health monitoring, remote surveillance and overall illness management. Despite its wider applicability and usage, it is prevalent that users discontinue its usage, which presents an obstacle in the proliferation of such vital innovations among the masses. Therefore, relying on the expectation-confirmation model (ECM), this study aims to delve deeper to explain the factors that motivate users to continually use WMDs by incorporating novel variables, namely, health belief, health information accuracy and privacy protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes and tests an extended ECM perspective to predict the continuance intention (CI) of WMDs among users. By using structural equation modelling using SmartPLS, the authors tested the model on Indian people (n = 451) who had an erstwhile experience of using WMDs.

Findings

The study results show that confirmation of users’ expectations positively impacts their usefulness and satisfaction towards WMDs. Moreover, satisfaction towards WMDs is the strongest predictor of users’ CI, followed by perceived usefulness. Interestingly, personal factor such as health beliefs reveals a greater influence on perceived usefulness than technological factors like health information accuracy and privacy protection.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings demonstrate the significance of using the expectation-confirmation perspective in technology-based studies in general and WMDs, in particular. This study aids by offering an integrated model of WMD’s continued usage intention for the users, in addition to practical implications for marketers and policymakers.

Originality/value

A paucity of research exists when understanding the predictors of CI for WMDs. This study fills this gap and adds to behavioural literature by offering a noble viewpoint involving an extended ECM perspective.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2024

Min Zeng, Jianxing Xie, Zhitao Li, Qincheng Wei and Hui Yang

This study aims to introduce a novel technique for nonlinear sensor time constant estimation and sensor dynamic compensation in hot-bar soldering using an extended Kalman filter…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a novel technique for nonlinear sensor time constant estimation and sensor dynamic compensation in hot-bar soldering using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the temperature of the thermocouple.

Design/methodology/approach

Temperature optimal control is combined with a closed-loop proportional integral differential (PID) control method based on an EKF. Different control methods for measuring the temperature of the thermode in terms of temperature control, error and antidisturbance are studied. A soldering process in a semi-industrial environment is performed. The proposed control method was applied to the soldering of flexible printed circuits and circuit boards. An infrared camera was used to measure the top-surface temperature.

Findings

The proposed method can not only estimate the soldering temperature but also eliminate the noise of the system. The performance of this methodology was exemplary, characterized by rapid convergence and negligible error margins. Compared with the conventional control, the temperature variability of the proposed control is significantly attenuated.

Originality/value

An EKF was designed to estimate the temperature of the thermocouple during hot-bar soldering. Using the EKF and PID controller, the nonlinear properties of the system could be effectively overcome and the effects of disturbances and system noise could be decreased. The proposed method significantly enhanced the temperature control performance of hot-bar soldering, effectively suppressing overshoot and shortening the adjustment time, thereby achieving precise temperature control of the controlled object.

Details

Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-0911

Keywords

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