Publication Date

Fall 1996

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

General Engineering

First Advisor

Hossein Arjomand

Abstract

Traditional instrumentation systems can be categorized into two groups: generic and custom systems. The former are standard, off-the-shelf machines, while the latter consist of specialty systems which perform target-specific tasks. While it is difficult to accurately characterize these specialty systems as a group (due to the varied nature of their functions), the standard machines are generally single units that provide limited customization and mobility.

This report explores the feasibility of a system that maintains the functionality of standard test equipment, while adding a scaleable, mobile, distributed architecture that reduces size, subsystem power consumption, and ultimately overall cost when compared to multiple systems. The analysis process consists of setting up a representative system that is networked through wireless techniques, and performing benchmark tests to determine the performance achievable. The results are evaluated and used to conclude what type of instrumentation systems are good candidates for utilizing a wireless architecture. Finally, a context-sensitive algorithm is proposed that introduces the concept of performance management, and attempts to eliminate the traditional network-related bottlenecks in the application of automotive diagnostics systems.

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