Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are usually deployed to different areas of interest to sense phenomena, process sensed data, and take actions accordingly. The networks are integrated with many advanced technologies to be able to fulfill their tasks that is becoming more and more complicated. These networks tend to connect to multimedia networks and to process huge data over long distances. Due to the limited resources of static sensor nodes, WSNs need to cooperate with mobile robots such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in their developments. The mobile devices show their maneuverability, computational and energy-storage abilities to support WSNs in multimedia networks. This paper addresses a comprehensive survey of almost scenarios utilizing UAVs and UGVs with strogly emphasising on UAVs for data collection in WSNs. Either UGVs or UAVs can collect data from static sensor nodes in the monitoring fields. UAVs can either work alone to collect data or can cooperate with other UAVs to increase their coverage in their working fields. Different techniques to support the UAVs are addressed in this survey. Communication links, control algorithms, network structures and different mechanisms are provided and compared. Energy consumption or transportation cost for such scenarios are considered. Opening issues and challenges are provided and suggested for the future developments.

This paper presents the design of an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter for a low-voltage high-current induction-motor drives supplied by dc power grids. In order to effectively design the EMI filter, a suitable common-mode/differential-mode (CM/DM) separation technique has been used. Due to the high operating currents, the software-based separation technique using time-domain measurements has been applied. The proposed technique allows the CM and DM sections of the EMI filter to be properly selected in a more economical way, i.e., without the need of a dedicated hardware or costly radio frequency (RF) instrumentation. The design has been done according to a power-density criterion. The effectiveness of the proposed CM/DM separation technique and the EMI filter features/performance has been assessed by experimental tests, carried out with an 1.1-kW pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter-fed induction-motor drive, supplied by a 48-V dc power grid.

The non linear effects of soil ionisation on the behaviour of earth electrodes are investigated by a finite difference time domain numerical scheme. A time variable soil resistivity is used in order to simulate the soil breakdown; step by step the resistivity value is controlled by the local instantaneous value of the electric field compared with the electrical strength, fixed for the soil. No a priori hypothesis about the geometrical shape of the ionised zone around the electrodes has to be enforced. Simulation results related to complex earth electrodes of limited extension are reported. The model has been validated by comparing the computed results with data available in technical literature. A discussion about dangerous earth voltages is reported, by underlining the role of soil ionisation. Electrodes of larger extension can be straightforwardly simulated by means of larger computational resources.

The presence of a partial discharge phenomenon in an electrical apparatus is a warning signal that could determine the failure of the insulation system, terminating the service of the apparatus and/or the network. In this paper, an innovative partial discharge (PD) measurement instrument based on an antenna sensor is presented and analyzed. Being non-intrusive is one of the most relevant features of the sensor. The frequency response of the antenna sensor and the features to recognize different PD sources and automatically synchronize them with the supply voltage are described and discussed in details. The results show the performance of the instrument can make a fast and correct diagnosis of the health state of insulation systems.

This review takes into account articles and standards published in recent years concerning the application of the Pulsed Electro Acoustic (PEA) method for space charge measurement on High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables and mini-cables. Since the 80s, the PEA method has been implemented for space charge measurements on flat specimens in order to investigate space charge phenomena and to evaluate the ageing of dielectrics. In recent years, this technique has been adapted to cylindrical geometry. Several studies and experiments have been carried out on the use of the PEA method for full size cables and HVDC cable models. The experiments have been conducted using different arrangements of the measurement setup and focusing attention on different aspects of space charge phenomena. In this work, the importance of space charge measurement is highlighted and the state-of-the-art PEA method application to full size cables and mini-cables is described. The main aim of this paper is to offer a complete and current review of this technique. In addition, limits on the use of PEA method are examined and main possible directions of research are proposed in order to improve the applicability, reliability, and replicability of this method.