At a construction site, workers mainly rely on two senses, which are sight and sound, in order to perceive their physical surroundings. However, they are often hindered by the nature of most construction sites, which are usually dynamic, loud, and complicated. To overcome these challenges, this research explored a method using an embedded sensory system that might offer construction workers an artificial sensing ability to better perceive their surroundings. This study identified three parameters (i.e., intensity, signal length, and delay between consecutive pulses) needed for tactile-based signals for the construction workers to communicate quickly. We developed a prototype system based on these parameters, conducted experimental studies to quantify and validate the sensitivity of the parameters for quick communication, and analyzed test data to reveal what was added by this method in order to perceive information from the tactile signals. The findings disclosed that the parameters of tactile-based signals and their distinguishable ranges could be perceived in a short amount of time (i.e., a fraction of a second). Further experimentation demonstrated the capability of the identified unit signals combined with a signal mapping technique to effectively deliver simple information to individuals and offer an additional sense of awareness to the surroundings. The findings of this study could serve as a basis for future research in exploring advanced tactile-based messages to overcome challenges in environments for which communication is a struggle.
With the advent of wireless sensing technology and interest in tracking resources, researchers have developed advanced tracking algorithms by using one or more sensor systems for improved accuracy and reliability of tracking. The objective of this research lies in another aspectdeployment-of tracking that has received only little attention until now. The research explores a method for sensor deployment particularly designed for the building in which the sensors are used. To tailor our solution to a specific building, we integrate a building information model with an electromagnetic energy analysis. By using such a model, the system extracts the properties of building materials, which are used as parameters of sensor deployment optimization. Then, we find a method of optimizing the deployment of a received signal strength indication (RSSI)-based
Past construction research has focused primarily on the realization of tracking systems but much less on their effectiveness. Despite significant achievements, little is known about the relationship between the environmental site conditions and deployed sensors and their influence on system effectiveness. To reduce this knowledge gap, we investigate the effect of cement-based material on signal energy loss using electromagnetic simulation. We take conventional electromagnetic equations and derive equations that quantitatively describe the signal behavior influenced by cement-based material. Then, we conduct high frequency structure simulator (HFSS) simulations and use the experimental measurements for benchmark comparison with our analytical solution. Results suggest that our analytical method accurately quantifies attenuated signal loss. Also, we construct an attenuation spectrum of energy loss for cement-based material, which can serve as a reference for sensor deployment. Therefore, the method should enable quantification of the signal loss of sensors without actually deploying them or measuring signal data, which should lead to the more effective deployment of tracking sensors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.