Monitoring of Distributed Parameter Systems Based on Virtual Instrumentation and Sensor Networks

This paper presents some technical solutions for monitoring of distributed parameter systems based on the new technologies of virtual instrumentation software architecture and intelligent ad-hoc wireless sensor networks. The virtual instrumentation allows the treatment of physical variables communicating with instruments as programs from a PC. The sensor networks may be placed in the areas of distributed parameter systems and they may be seen as distributed measuring sensors for the physical variables of distributed parameter systems, in space. Some applications, for the most usual distributed parameter systems as: the heat transfer in space, motion of vehicles, atmosphere pressure and noise accoustic intensity are illustrated with examples of virtual instruments, build using LabView. The developed technical solutions allow the implementation of the multivariable estimation techniques in fault detection and diagnosis in distributed parameter systems. Key-Words: System monitoring, wireless sensor networks, system identification, distributed parameter systems, virtual instrumentation, heat distribution.