A cost-effective far-field antenna pattern measurement system

Author(s):  
Kyle Patel ◽  
Robert Jones ◽  
Atef Elsherbeni
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Santiago Mota-Páez ◽  
David Escolano-Margarit ◽  
Amadeo Benavent-Climent

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures with open first stories and masonry infill walls at the upper stories are very common in seismic areas. Under strong earthquakes, most of the energy dissipation demand imposed by the earthquake concentrates in the first story, and this eventually leads the building to collapse. A very efficient and cost-effective solution for the seismic upgrading of this type of structure consists of installing hysteretic dampers in the first story. This paper investigates the response of RC soft-story frames retrofitted with hysteretic dampers subjected to near-fault ground motions in terms of maximum displacements and lateral seismic forces and compares them with those obtained by far-field earthquakes. It is found that for similar levels of total seismic input energy, the maximum displacements in the first story caused by near-fault earthquakes are about 1.3 times larger than those under far-field earthquakes, while the maximum inter-story drift in the upper stories and the distribution and values of the lateral forces are scarcely affected. It is concluded that the maximum displacements can be easily predicted from the energy balance of the structure by using appropriate values for the parameter that reflects the influence of the impulsivity of the ground motion: the so-called equivalent number of cycles.


Author(s):  
Bryan W. Schlake ◽  
Brian S. Daniel ◽  
Ron Voorheis

In pursuit of improved safety, Norfolk Southern Corp. (NS) has partnered with Amberg Technologies to explore the potential benefits of a laser-based measurement system for measuring over dimensional freight rail shipments. Shipments that do not fall within a standard geometric envelope, denoted as Plate B in the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Open Top Loading Rules [1], are considered to be over dimensional, or High-Wide Loads (HWLs). Extending beyond the limits of the Plate B diagram, these loads are not permitted in unrestricted interchange service. Instead, they must be measured both at points of origin and at interchange points. For US Class I Railroads, the de facto method for measuring HWLs requires mechanical personnel to either climb on the equipment or use a ladder and physically measure the overall height and width of the load. Using a tape measure, plumb line, and 6-foot level, car inspectors, or carmen, must often make multiple measurements to determine the height or width of a critical point on the load. The summation of these measurements can be subject to mathematical human error. In addition to the inherent limitations with regards to accuracy and efficiency, this method of measurement presents considerable safety challenges. The objective of the project was to develop a portable, cost-effective and accurate measurement system to improve the day-to-day operational process of measuring HWLs and reduce human exposure to railyard hazards. Norfolk Southern worked closely with Amberg Technologies to provide a clear overview of the current measuring methods, requirements, challenges and risks associated with HWLs. Amberg then developed a prototype system (with patent pending) and successful tests have been completed at both a point of origin for NS shipments and at a location where HWLs are received at interchange. The measuring system consists of a tripod mounted laser, a specially designed track reference target (TRT) and software designed specifically for HWL measurements. The system allows car inspectors to take measurements from a safe, strategic location away from the car. As a result, this system eliminates the need to climb on the equipment or a ladder and greatly reduces the amount of time spent on and around live tracks. In addition, initial tests indicate that this technology reduces the labor time required to measure HWLs by as much as one half while improving measurement accuracy. These tests have demonstrated that a laser-based system has the potential to greatly improve the safety, efficiency and accuracy associated with measuring HWLs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinghui Wu ◽  
Robert Hull ◽  
Andrew Tucker ◽  
Craig Rice ◽  
Peter Richter ◽  
...  

Abstract Distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) has been utilized in unconventional reservoirs for hydraulic fracture efficiency diagnostics for many years. Downhole fiber cables can be permanently installed external to the casing to monitor and measure the uniformity and efficiency of individual clusters and stages during the completion in the near-field wellbore environment. Ideally, a second fiber or multiple fibers can be deployed in offset well(s) to monitor and characterize fracture geometries recorded by fracture-driven interactions or frac-hits in the far-field. Fracture opening and closing, stress shadow creation and relaxation, along with stage isolation can be clearly identified. Most importantly, fracture propagation from the near to far-field can be better understood and correlated. With our current technology, we can deploy cost effective retrievable fibers to record these far-field data. Our objective here is to highlight key data that can be gathered with multiple fibers in a carefully planned well-spacing study and to evaluate and understand the correspondence between far-field and near-field Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data. In this paper, we present a case study of three adjacent horizontal wells equipped with fiber in the Permian basin. We can correlate the near-field fluid allocation across a stage down to the cluster level to far-field fracture driven interactions (FDIs) with their frac-hit strain intensity. With multiple fibers we can evaluate fracture geometry, the propagation of the hydraulic fractures, changes in the deformation related to completion designs, fracture complexity characterization and then integrate the results with other data to better understand the geomechanical processes between wells. Novel frac-hit corridor (FHC) is introduced to evaluate stage isolation, azimuth, and frac-hit intensity (FHI), which is measured in far-field. Frac design can be evaluated with the correlation from near-field allocation to far-field FHC and FHI. By analyzing multiple treatment and monitor wells, the correspondence can be further calibrated and examined. We observe the far-field FHC and FHI are directly related to the activities of near-field clusters and stages. A leaking plug may directly result in FHC overlapping, gaps and variations in FHI, which also can be correlated to cluster uniformity. A near-far field correspondence can be established to evaluate FHC and FHI behaviors. By utilizing various completion designs and related measurements (e.g. Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS), gauges, microseismic etc.), optimization can be performed to change the frac design based on far-field and near-field DFOS data based on the Decision Tree Method (DTM). In summary, hydraulic fracture propagation can be better characterized, measured, and understood by deploying multiple fibers across a lease. The correspondence between the far-field measured FHC and FHI can be utilized for completion evaluation and diagnostics. As the observed strain is directly measured, completion engineering and geoscience teams can confidently optimize their understanding of the fracture designs in real-time.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1450141
Author(s):  
MUHAMMAD AKMAL CHAUDHARY ◽  
JONATHAN LEES ◽  
JOHANNES BENEDIKT ◽  
PAUL TASKER

This paper presents a fully automated time domain, waveform measurement system, capable of measuring multi-tone waveforms up to a frequency of 14 GHz. Multi-tone waveform measurement capabilities will prove useful in enhancing the understanding of the response of devices under realistic operating conditions, and allow for detailed investigation into device problems leading to memory effects. The system, which is based around a standard sampling oscilloscope, is capable of measuring all four traveling waves simultaneously. It is a cost effective solution, capable of capturing high quality measurement data, it consists of two test sets one to measure RF components of the signal and one to measure IF components, which are then recombined before being measured by the sampling oscilloscope. Vector error correction is applied to the measured data to fully calibrate the system to the device plane, ensuring any dispersion in the connecting hardware is removed. A multi-tone waveform sampling method is employed, ensuring the waveforms are captured in the most efficient manner. Device results are presented showing the multi-tone voltage and current waveforms at the device plane. Some useful applications of the system are demonstrated and explained.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 6329
Author(s):  
Ruijun Li ◽  
Yongjun Wang ◽  
Pan Tao ◽  
Rongjun Cheng ◽  
Zhenying Cheng ◽  
...  

Laser beam drift greatly influences the accuracy of a four degrees of freedom (4-DOF) measurement system during the detection of machine tool errors, especially for long-distance measurement. A novel method was proposed using bellows to serve as a laser beam shield and air pumps to stabilize the refractive index of air. The inner diameter of the bellows and the control mode of the pumps were optimized through theoretical analysis and simulation. An experimental setup was established to verify the feasibility of the method under the temperature interference condition. The results indicated that the position stability of the laser beam spot can be improved by more than 79% under the action of pumping and inflating. The proposed scheme provides a cost-effective method to reduce the laser beam drift, which can be applied to improve the detection accuracy of a 4-DOF measurement system.


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