The essential component of all the control and sensory systems is a communication layer. The MODBUS protocol used in automation and sensory industry defines a simple format of communication using the master/slave principle, although since it originated in the 1970s it has become obsolete. In this article is presented uBUS protocol as an enhancement of the MODBUS protocol uBUS protocol proposal brings advanced features for today’s requirements for embedded applications. Enhancements include address extension to 4079 addresses, adding a new communication mode (group broadcast), delegating selected master features to slave, linking with other communication interfaces and securing communications layer. The main part of the article deals with the description of design and implementation of the uBUS communication security. An RSA algorithm that uses asymmetric encryption was used to implement communication encryption. The article presents a way of implementing such encryption and its effectiveness on various types of microcontrollers implementing uBUS slaves. Since the communication protocol security is designed as a separate layer, it is possible to implement different types of encryption.

The presented work deals with the research of the super-alloy Inconel 713LC, on which an Al-based coating was applied using the "Out-of-pack" diffusion coating process, or CrAl. In this contribution, the results of measuring the thickness of thin coatings using a confocal laser microscope and the method of impedance spectroscopy are presented and discussed. This can demonstrate the possibility of being used also for researching the properties of thin layers using a VF probe, which, thanks to the use of ferrite, has a practically constant inductance in the entire frequency range, and the presence of a metal sample in the magnetic circuit of the probe was manifested as a result of eddy currents by a significant decrease in the inductance value at higher frequencies. However, the measurements require precise measurement of impedance with an accuracy of 1mΩ and phase angle with an accuracy of 0.001° with high stability of the measuring frequency. For a better assessment of the parameters of the layers, it is necessary to extend the frequency range of the measurement to the range of MHz units.

The year 2024 marks the 40-th anniversary of observation of Earth tides at the tidal station of Vyhne, Central Slovakia. The station was established through an international scientific collaboration in 1984. Since then, it has monitored the geodynamical phenomena almost continuously. At the beginning, the station was equipped with an extensometer with an analogue photo-recorder. Later on, the extensometer was fitted with a new sensor unit based on the principle of a capacitive transducer. The subject of this paper is the design and construction of a new sensor for measuring subtle displacements in the Earth's crust due to the action of tidal and tectonic forces. Similarly to the currently operating sensor, it is based on the simple principle of measuring voltage changes on a movable sensing electrode fastened to a quartz glass tube. However, compared to the previous analogue version, a solution using the contemporary possibilities of high computing power of a modern microcontroller as well as its integrated peripherals are employed. Measured values are stored in a flash memory in off-line mode. The device is ready for operation in on-line mode for remote data collection in real time, as well. The first recorded data indicate that the instrument is working correctly, successfully registering the tidal phenomena. However, a significantly longer measurement period is required to ensure its proper operation and to rule out any potential adverse effects. Parallel measurements are to be carried out using both the new and former sensors, and the consistency of the results shall be examined.

The article deals with a method of acquiring the temporal and spatial distribution of local precipitation from measurement of performance characteristics of local sources of high frequency electromagnetic radiation in the 1-3GHz frequency range in the lower layers of the troposphere up to 100 m. The method was experimentally proven by monitoring the GSM G2 base stations of cell phone providers in the frequency range of 920-960MHz using methods of frequential and spatial diversity reception. Modification of the SART method for localization of precipitation was also proposed. The achieved results allow us to obtain the timeframe of the intensity of local precipitation in the observed area with a temporal resolution of 10 sec. A spatial accuracy of 100m in localization of precipitation is expected, after a network of receivers is built. The acquired data can be used as one of the inputs for meteorological forecasting models, in agriculture, hydrology as a supplementary method to ombrograph stations and measurements for the weather radar network, in transportation as part of a warning system and in many other areas.