Assembly and Testing

Our 3D visualisation suite combines a Virtalis Activewall 3D display with a Vicon motion tracking system to provide an ideal environment for collaborative discussion and exploration of 3D models. The motion tracking system allows the perspective of the 3D image to change according to your movements, providing a truly immersive experience. In addition, the Vicon tracking system can be used for other motion-capture applications. Any number of small spherical markers can be placed on objects of interest (e.g. a robot’s appendages) and the system will track and record their positions with sub-millimetre resolution.

Manufacturers websites:
www.virtalis.com/products/34/activewall.php
www.vicon.com/System/Bonita

The Facility incorporates a wireless communications test bed which allows Gigabit/s testing of transmitters, receivers and individual subsystems to 110 GHz. The test bed is integrated into the Roger Pollard High Frequency Measurements Laboratory, which is sponsored by Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent), and houses a suite of vector network analysers that permit the precision characterisation of devices, components and materials at frequencies from 9kHz to 1.1 THz. This capability creates an exceptional range of opportunities for research on communications and sensing for robotics applications.

The main instruments available are the N9030A 44 GHz Vector Signal Analyser, PSA 44 GHz Vector Signal Generator, M8190A 12 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator, and 67 GHz PNA-X Network Analyser, with frequency extenders to 1.1 THz.

Technical details can be found on Keysight Technologies website: www.keysight.com

If you are interested in using these test and measurement facilities, please contact Professor Ian Robertson,
e: i.d.robertson@leeds.ac.uk.

The Facility incorporates enhancements to the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering’s low temperature co-fire ceramic (LTCC) prototyping facility. LTCC is a key technology for miniature systems integration for harsh environments, being uniquely able to combine high frequency electronics with piezoelectric transducers and actuators. LTCC systems integration and micromachined components are studied at Leeds using laser-based prototyping. The fabrication of hollow waveguide and microfluidic structures in LTCC has attracted widespread interest. With this technology in hand, a wide range of millimetre-wave communications and sensing applications are being developed, including sensors for healthcare applications and exploration robotics.

The facility does not have a turn-key standard process but we are happy to discuss ways in which we can support researchers wishing to jointly develop prototypes for research purposes. Please contact Professor Ian Robertson,
e: i.d.robertson@leeds.ac.uk.

This tele-operated robotic system uses haptic interface devices, magnified 3D vision and four high-precision robotic arms to facilitate the assembly of miniature components and robots.