INDUSTRY News
European Space Agency communicates between ISS and robot with RTI’s Connext DDS
The European Space Agency (ESA) is using Real-Time Innovations’s (RTI’s) software framework, Connext DDS, for long-distance object control from aboard the International Space Station (ISS). RTI Connext DDS allows developers to manage complex communications from ISS to the earthbound exploration robot, as part of ESA’s Analog-1 project. ESA receives active feedback from the robotic arm whilst operating the gripper via remote control, to work with the precision and dexterity of a human hand. A telerobotic device provides visual and sensory data back to the operator, responding to their movements, which are communicated wirelessly. In space applications, it’s critical that
the robot is part of a haptic control loop. This way astronauts can interact with it and even experience the tactile sensations of the robot through a joystick or data gloves. Consequently, this system needs a low-latency control loop. At the same time, this control loop generates high volume of video and real-time telemetry data. Hence, for all these elements to operate seamlessly, communications must be near real time and deterministic. Thanks to the Data Distribution Service (DDS) connectivity standard, ESA created a real-time control loop between the space station and the robot using RTI Connext DDS as the communication
The astronaut must be able to interact with the robot, and even experience the tactile sensations of the robot through a joystick or data gloves
layer. This kind of communication requires a DIL communication link. In this environment, the status needs to be continuously assessed and fed back into the control loop. Transmitting compressed video is now easier as well, as ESA is able to use the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for keeping huge amounts of data in motion over unpredictable communications links. UDP is far more reliable, because it runs in the transport layer on Connext DDS and doesn’t consume network resources. ESA was further able to achieve Connext DDS integration into Qt QML, which is the basis of its user interface. Because a lot of components are simply C++ interfaces between QML and
DDS, ESA’s Human Robotic Interaction Laboratory now has the fl exibility to extend these interfaces. With forward- compatibility, components can be quickly re-architected into subsequent projects and demos. ESA is a key developer of telerobotic systems, which are vital for advancing space exploration. Hidden away in the picturesque seaside town of Noordwijk in the Netherlands, ESA’s Human Robot Interaction Laboratory develops pioneering haptic solutions using remotely-controlled semi-autonomous robots. Such robots off er opportunities for interactive discovery and research in places where it’s impossible or impractical to send astronauts.
Sensors in the water industry
Sensors in the water and wastewater treatment industries are an emerging technology area, forecast to grow to over $2bn by 2030, claims market research organisation IDTechEx. However, unlike the oil and gas industry, the water industry is behind with digitisation and monitoring of its networks. With water shortages occurring across many countries, there is a real need for better monitoring of the usage, supply and treatment of both supply- and waste-water networks. To achieve these goals, the water industry must digitise and use smart sensors across all areas of its water networks. Data collection and analysis results will be used to
8 December/January 2021 | Automation
meet pollution requirements and policy limits, and to ensure that the treatment of both water and wastewater plants are running correctly. Using sensors in these industries can lead to increases in plant effi ciency, reduction in pollution from contaminants or waste materials, and more. There are many plants that already
measure and monitor wastewater, such as in the semiconductor, chemical, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. Any process that uses water during manufacturing, cooling and heating, or similar, and then exits this waste to the environment needs to be checked for contamination, pollution and
potential damage to the environment, which requires sensors.
Applications In general, there are fi ve key areas for sensors to be used in the water and wastewater treatment industries: • Storage, e.g. tanks: examples include water level, pressure, temperature, and others.
• Pipes – in network and distribution: examples include pressure, fl ow speed, level measurements and leaks. • Treatment – supply and wastewater: examples include pH, chlorine, pressure, temperature, fl ow speed, level measurement, and more.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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