The real-time implementation of a model-based measurement technique on a multiprocessor instrument

This paper deals with the application of a high-performance instrument which embodies a multiprocessor network and a special data acquisition board. Specifically it has been adopted for the real-time implementation of a model-based measurement technique, based on a parallel solution of a measurement algorithm derived from a dynamic mathematical model of the system under analysis. The research reported in this paper has been oriented toward a real application. We have tested the performance of our implementation, carrying out measurement of quantities which cannot be directly sensed on linear induction motors. The results obtained by using this instrument are discussed, showing the system performance in terms of execution speed. The effective errors of the acquisition system have been examined, in order to estimate the achievable accuracy, highlighting the influence of the ADC bit number on the measured quantities. Furthermore the truncation error, which arises from the consideration of only a finite number of current harmonics, has been evaluated. Finally the implementation of the measurement algorithm on a different number of processors has made it possible to evaluate its degree of parallelism by measuring the different speed-up factors