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Abstract

To rationalise the amount of water needed to irrigate cultivated fields, modern agriculture imposes the need for better knowledge of the soil moisture content. In this context, since current technological solutions do not correspond to criteria of cost or use, this paper presents a design for a new original capacitive bi-functional sensor to measure soil moisture and salinity. In this paper, we outline all the stages of the design, from simulation to finished elements of the optimal design to deployment in the fields, taking into consideration the constraints of mechanical integration necessary for its industrialisation. Measurement electronics have been developed on the basis of an electric model of the sensor in order to obtain double measurement. Then, an on-site (field lot) measurement program was carried out to validate the good performance of the system in real time. Finally, this performance was matched with that of leading industrial sensors on the market. This work clearly demonstrates that, after deployment of the sensors, the overall system makes it possible to obtain a precise image of the hydric condition of cultivated soil, with the best response time.

Abstract

Optimizing water consumption is a major challenge for a more sustainable agriculture with respect for the environment. By combining micro and nanotechnologies with the offered solutions of IoT connection (Sigfox and LoRa), new sensors allow the farmer to be connected to his agricultural production by mastering in real time the right contribution needed in water and fertilizer. The sensor designed in this research allows a double measurement of soil moisture and salinity. In order to minimize the destructuring of the ground to insert the sensor, we have designed a cylindrical sensor, easy to insert, with its electronics inside its body to propose a low power electronic architecture capable of measuring and communicating wireless with a LoRa or Sigfox network or even the farmer's cell phone. This new smart sensor is then compared to the current leaders in agriculture to validate its performance.

Abstract

La reconnaissance du discours, souvent inexactement appelée reconnaissance vocale, est un logiciel basé dans un ordinateur qui analyse les signaux audios capturés par un microphone et la traduit dans un langage compréhensible par la machine. Le traitement du discours est basé sur des méthodes qui nécessitent un CPU local ou du traitement en ligne grâce à un lien Internet. Un mot d'activation initie le traitement ("OK Google", "Alexa", ...) et l'analyse de la voix n'est pas adapté pour une architecture avec un CPU autonome limité (microcontrôleur 16 bits) avec une basse consommation. Pour atteindre cette réalisation, cet article présente des méthodes spécifiques et détaille une commande vocale optimisée et compatible avec un système IOT autonome basse consommation.

Abstract

This article presents all steps between the advanced design and the production of CMOS compatible thermoelectric effect infrared sensors dedicated to smart home applications. It will start by making a comparison between thermopile, bolometer and pyroelectric technologies. Although sensitivity performances available with bolometers appear to be better at first sight, it is found that thermopiles have non-negligible advantages that make them more suitable for this application field. Then the different steps necessary for the design will be described, starting from the thermoelectric model of the sensor (temperature gradient, electrical sensitivity, etc.) and considering all steps up to technological manufacturing in a clean room. The results obtained on the structures produced on a specific computer-controlled measurement bench (temperature regulation with an onboard preamplification card) will be presented. Finally, the results prove that the square structures have better performances (S = 82 V/W and NETD = 208 mK).

Abstract

Internet of Things (IOT) business has raised a strong interest in assets positioning. While outdoor positioning mostly uses a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNNS) system, those are inoperable in indoor situations. Indoor positioning has been a very active field of study for the last decades and many approaches have been proposed, however those solutions are very often complex to deploy at industrial grade, due to complexity or cost of the hardware or the algorithms. Moreover, deploying those solution often requires a complex and expensive calibration setup such as fingerprinting to establish a radio map of the room. In this study, we focus on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) positioning using maximum likelihood estimate and Cramer-Ro Lower Bound (CRLB) with the widely used Log-Distance Path Loss (LDPL) model to determine the impact of the calibration setup on the accuracy and precision of the position. Results are then matched with real BLE measurements made in an industrial-like environment.

Résumé

L'objectif du projet MAN est d'élaborer et tester une méthodologie d'évaluation de l'accessibilité numérique pour les personnes âgées, croisant approches quantitatives et qualitatives. Les premiers résultats du projet obtenus en 2017 sont présentés, ainsi que les objectifs avancés pour 2018.

Abstract

Personalized monitoring is an emerging ambition for health technologies responding the needs of patients and healthcare professionals. In this regard, the purpose of this work is to propose a e-health care device offering active control and permanent actuating link able to control the amount of drug delivered. A first part presents our motivations related to the problems of the aging of the population, recalls the current approaches for the monitoring of the elderly and describes the need in the systems of actuations in particular for the aid to the taking of drugs. From these needs, a state of the art is proposed on the techniques for controlling the delivery of drugs. A second part is dedicated to the study and characterization of the diffusion of lidocaine through the skin. Experiments are carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of diffusion techniques in terms of control and improvement of the quantity delivered. Finally, the notion of control of the administered dose is correlated to the integrated actuator via a control command. A third part presents a modeling and a numerical simulation of the transdermal diffusion related to the results obtained during experiments on a Franz cell, and the transposition of the model on a planar structure. Different scenarios of electrical stimulations and shape factors have been conducted to obtain optimal administration profile. Finally, the last part is devoted to technological locks and to the design of the intelligent system which adapt the dose administered according to the needs of the patient. A prototype is made, integrating actuation functions, and data recovery from integrated sensors. This chapter discusses the intelligent aspect of the system through the implementation of a suitable program, it ends with an analysis of the energy consumption of the system.

Résumé

La surveillance personnalisée est une ambition émergente pour les technologies de la santé qui répond aux besoins des patients et des professionnels de santé. L'objectif de ce travail est d'aller jusqu’aux soins, en utilisant un actionneur télécommandé pour mettre en oeuvre automatiquement une prescription médicamenteuse. Un système transdermique intelligent est conçu, sous la forme d’un patch, pour administrer de manière contrôlée des médicaments. Une première partie présente nos motivations liées aux problèmes du vieillissement de la population, rappelle les approches menées actuellement pour le monitoring des personnes âgées et décrit le besoin et le manque au niveau des systèmes d’actionnements notamment pour l’aide à la prise de médicaments, A partir de ces besoins, un état de l’art est proposé sur les techniques permettant de contrôler la délivrance de médicaments afin de dégager des spécifications techniques d’un système d’actionnement intelligent. Une deuxième partie est consacrée à l’étude et la caractérisation de la diffusion de la lidocaïne à travers la peau. Des expérimentations sont réalisées pour démontrer l’intérêt des techniques d’aide à la diffusion en termes de contrôle et d’amélioration de la quantité délivrée. Finalement, la notion de contrôle de la dose administrée est corrélée à l’actionneur intégré via une loi de commande. Une troisième partie présente une modélisation et une simulation numérique de la diffusion transdermique en liaison avec les résultats obtenus lors d’expérimentations sur une cellule de Franz, et la transposition du modèle sur une structure planaire. Différents scénarios de stimulations électriques et de facteurs de formes ont été conduits pour obtenir profil d’administration optimal. Finalement, la dernière partie est dédiée à la conception du système qui permet d’adapter la dose administrée selon les besoins du patient. Un prototype est réalisé, intégrant des fonctions d’actionnement, et de récupération de données issues de capteurs intégrés.

Mots-Clés / Keywords

patch intelligent; Délivrance de médicament; Microsystèmes; Iontophorèse; Smart patch; Drug delivery; Microsystems; Iontophoresis;

Abstract

Transdermal active drug delivery is one way to propose new disease treatment as an improvement to passive patches diffusion based on concentration gradient. Although skin limitations due to low permeability active transdermal delivery approach are investigated, by the proposition of an iontophoretic reusable and controllable patch. Making such an e-health care device offers active control and permanent actuating link able to control the amount of drug delivered. In vitro experiment is conducted to investigate the current effect on the permeation. Modelling and simulations are carried out to optimise the design and the electrical stimulation and finally a global overview of the architecture of the patch is presented.

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the influence of standing position (vs. seated) during uphill cycling on both mechanical cost (MC) and energy cost (EC) in elite cyclists. For the study, thirteen elite cyclists (VO2max: 71.4 ± 8.0 ml·min−1·kg−1) performed, in a randomised order, three sets of exercises. Each set comprised 2 min of exercise, alternating every 30 s between seated and standing postures, using different slopes and intensity levels on a motorised treadmill. MC was calculated from the measurement of power output and speed, whereas EC was calculated from the measurement of oxygen consumption and speed. MC was significantly higher (+4.3%, p < 0.001) in standing position compared to seated position when all slopes and intensities were considered. However, EC was not significantly affected by the change in position. The standing position also induced a significant increase in rolling resistance power (p < 0.001), rolling resistance coefficient (p < 0.001) and lateral sways (p < 0.001). The significant increase in MC observed in standing position was due to a higher rolling resistance induced by bicycle sways and a shift forward of the centre of mass compared to seated position. This result should lead bicycle tire manufacturers to reduce the increase in rolling resistance between the two positions. Considering the relationship observed between the MC and bicycle sways, cyclists would be well advised to decrease the bicycle sways in order to reduce the MC of locomotion.

Abstract

The objectives of this work are to develop a technological solution designed to support active aging of frail older individuals and to conduct a first evaluation of the devices. We wish to bring a reflection in the field of connected health by setting up a remote medical follow-up. In this context, the connected object presented in this article aims at implementation a longitudinal follow-up of the walk by a health professional. Continuous remote data analysis applies behavior learning methods by modeling walking habits and allows the detection of deviations by application of thresholds defined by the expert. We propose an instrumented shoe insole to provide such monitoring (number of steps, distance covered and gait speed). In this perspective, we designed a low power microelectronic device integrated into the thickness of an insole in order to demonstrate the technical feasibility of such a device in laboratory and in living conditions. The project called “FOOT-TEST” is funded by the DIRECCTE of the Midi-Pyrenees Region in France. This project brought together a manufacturer who specializes in the design of foot-care systems, geriatricians and our laboratory specialized in electronics to propose a technical solution adapted to frail individuals. Two smart insole prototypes have been produced and a first evaluation of the smart insole in real use conditions has been performed. According to user feedback, the smart insole seems to be much easier to use than commercial connected pedometers. Moreover, in terms of performance, the smart insole provides better results. In this paper, we present specifications of the device, technological choices and the design of two versions of the smart insole, methods used to measure desired settings, a first evaluation of the system and, finally, preliminary conclusions and work in progress.