Mechatronic Systems
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Improving dynamic accuracy of closed loop bandwidth of piezo mechanisms with advanced control laws and embedded eddy current position sensors
14 June 2024
Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM) play an important role in diverse optical applications for beam stabilization, image sharpening or dynamic beam steering. These applications require the FSM to have a precise response across a large frequency range, thus the need of a dynamic controller. But the controller is ultimately limited, among other factors, by the performance of the sensor: its ability to measure accurately the required physical value and with a sufficient bandwidth. The compact, dynamic and precise embedded Eddy Current Sensors (ECS) developed by Cedrat Technologies, combined with a model-based controller allow a two and a half times improvement on the bandwidth compared to current sensing technology, while being more precise overall.
P-FSM and M-FSM piezoelectric and magnetic fast steering mirrors
5 September 2023
To meet needs in air, space, defence & other embedded or demanding applications CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) bas developed for more than 20 years Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM). Typical applications are for example Lidar, free space optical communication (FSO) and Laser interferometry. As the specifications met in these applications can vary, CTEC bas designed and patented different actuation technologies:
– FSM based on Amplified Piezo Actuators APA®, as for PHARAO, ATLID, PSYCHE missions, and for future FSO space constellations as well as other large FSM for space & instrumentation as ESO ELT.
– FSM based on Magnetic Actuation, as being developed for FSO and CO-OP optical communication toward Geosat.
– FSM based on Stepping Piezo Actuators, as for IASI-NG for METOP-SG, as well as other piezomotor-based FSM.
The presentation describes the working principle, design and performance of these different actuation concepts.
Real-Time Image Super Resolution System Based on Micro-scanning Technology
5 September 2023
Different from the recent popular super resolution system based on AI technology which needs normally massive training datasets, the micro-scanning super resolution system by integrating the high-precision mechanism and the image processing system can overpass the training datasets limit to enhance the image resolution and quality considerably in real time. Such a real-time image super resolution system named Quick Demo Station (QDS) system is presented. This system is jointly developed by Shanghai IAE, China, in cooperation with Cedrat technologies, France. The system is made of two modules, one imaging module (MicroScan_ VIS_Module ), the other image processing module (a portable image processing workstation). The image processing module performs imaging module’s control, as well as image acquisition, image registration, image superresolution reconstruction, image contrast enhancement. Here the algorithm used to restore the low-resolution (LR) images is the iterative reconstruction method, which could achieve high quality super-resolution (SR) results. The output is a video stream whose frame rate is higher than 25 frames per second. The system is being tested in different applications and show the excellent super-resolution results, including low light level conditions and outdoor variable lighting scenarios. Furthermore, the algorithm in image processing module can be used not only on the workstations, but also in embedded processing system.
Manufacture and properties of first industrial actuators APA® using carbon epoxy SHELLS
12 February 2012
Future aeronautics will more often use electrical actuators in order to replace hydraulic actuators. Existing Amplified Piezo Actuators APA® with steel shell, delivering among the highest mass energy densities, are good candidates. Lighter carbon shells are developed to further increase their efficiency. For helicopters rotor blade application this evolution is almost unavoidable but is also very interesting for other domains. High modulus and high tensile strength carbon fibres shells have been produced by conventional filament winding, tested and compared.
Micro piezo actuators
7 January 2008
Obtaining an integratable, compatible, low-cost mechanical energy source delivering a sufficient quantity of easilyaccessible energy within a miniaturised system has been the challenge of recent decades. Urgent demand for and interest in such systems will continue to increase with the development of portable microsystems.
Microcontrollers for piezo-electric actuator
7 January 2008
CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES is now promoting microcontrollerbased solutions for controlling piezo-actuators. Microcontrollers provide powerful digital signal processing capability with reduced size and cost, allowing embedded applications to be targeted. The new UC45 board uses a microcontroller to provide fully-digital control of piezo-actuators at 10KHz. It features ADC and DAC with 16-bit resolution, for applications where high resolution is required, such as ultraprecise positioning.
