Synchronization problems within distributed sensor networks are a major challenge in the field of Industry 4.0. In this paper, artificially generated time shifts between sensor data and their influence on remaining useful lifetime prediction of electromechanical cylinders are investigated. It is shown that time shifts within sensor data lead to poor remaining useful lifetime predictions. However, this prediction can be significantly improved using various methods as shown in this contribution.

The estimation of the six-degree-of-freedom position and orientation of an end effector is of high interest in industrial robotics. High precision and data rates are important requirements when choosing an adequate measurement system. In this work, a six-degree-of-freedom pose estimation setup based on laser multilateration is described together with the measurement principle and self-calibration strategies used in this setup. In an experimental setup, data rates of 200 Hz are achieved.

Wireless sensor systems gain more and more importance for modern industry 4.0 and internet of things applications. This paper introduces a new wireless communication system that enables real-time and highly robust wireless communication. Using this system makes it possible to transfer any digital bus system transparently. Based on a prototype, measurements and evaluations of the new systems are demonstrated.

Many applications in high-voltage environments require electrically isolated sensors. We demonstrate a purely optical sensor link using only low-cost high-brightness LEDs and only one polymer optical fiber (POF) for remote powering of isolated electronic sensor nodes of as well as for data transmission of sensor data to a central unit. No optical couplers or special photo diodes are required, to save costs and reduce size. This enables us to install sensor networks in the field with low effort.

The paper introduces a novel method for 2-D localization of a target in the indoor environment using the RSSI approach with only two sensors. The proposed method reduces the number of sensors by one compared to the trilateration method, which uses at least three sensors for 2-D localization. The achieved accuracy under the white Gaussian noise condition is about 3.4 cm as an average of all positions inside the considered simulated environment.