NaMPET

National Mission of Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET) at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram
(www.nampet.in)

NaMPET as a mission programme was launched in November, 2004 as first large initiative by DeitY in the area of power electronics for facilitating research, development, deployment and commercialisation of power electronics technology by enhancing the indigenous R&D expertise and infrastructure in the country. As part of NaMPET phase-I programme, power electronics infrastructure facilities have been built at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram as a nodal centre and Labs in different areas of power electronics were created at 11 premier academic institutes including IITs (Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Delhi), IISc Bangalore, Anna University Chennai, BESU Kolkata, NITs (Trichy, Rourkela, Kotayam) and BIT Ranchi. Some of the advanced power electronics technologies developed under NaMPET is listed below:

• Full Spectrum Simulator, a tool for designing, operating and understanding complex systems encountered in power systems.
• Matrix Converteris as an “all silicon” solution for AC-AC conversion.
• Universal Front End for Micro Generators for converting the power output from micro generators into usable voltage and frequency.
• IGBT Gate Drivers highly versatile single channel/ dual channel gate drivers for IGBTs up to 1700 Volts and 1200 A ratings with electrical or fiber optics interface.
• Hall Effect based Current Sensors the components for DC/AC current measurements in industrial applications.

NaMPET has served as a platform for power electronics experts from industries, R&D and academic institutes to come together and take up joint development activities. Under NaMPET, a number of awareness creation programmes like Short Term Courses, National Annual Workshops and Seminars have been conducted with support from all the participating agencies, which has created a notable impact in attracting power electronics professional and students in the country. These activities have helped in enhancing the power electronics technology base and capabilities in the country.

User Ministries like Indian Railways and Ministry of Power have joined hands with NaMPET and funded Development of Vehicle Control Unit, Train Communication Network, Auxiliary Converter, STATCOM for neutral current compensation at IT Parks etc.

A typical example of joint funded 2 X 500 KVA STATCOM project implemented at Techno Park, Trivandrum as shown below:

NaMPET Phase-I was completed in August, 2010. The sponsored projects by other Ministries, which were started at the fag end of NaMPET Programme, were carried forward as part of next phase activities.

ASTeC
 

Automation Systems Technology Centre (ASTeC) at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram.

Automation Systems Technology Centre (ASTeC) programme was launched by DIT in April, 2007 with a broad vision of undertaking R&D in Automation Technology area to strengthen technical skills in the automation technologies with a particular emphasis on the Hardware development contributing to design lead automation system development. The programme has been implemented through collaborative efforts by CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram as a nodal agency with a view to promote innovative development in the field of process automation and successfully completed on 31.3.2013. Under this programme, an embedded Centre of Excellence has been created at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram to launch Technology Development Research Programme in four pillars of automation research viz. Perception, Control, Learning and Systems. Necessary infrastructure development for this has been completed at the nodal Centre. A number of building blocks technologies/products (Embedded Controllers, SCADA Software, Sensor Network, Expert System driven Intelligent Decision’ System, Kalman Filter based Predictive controller, Evolutionary Computation based Soft Sensor, Fuzzy Logic Process Optimization System, Data Fusion System, Special type of sensors and Model Predictive Controllers) have been indigenously designed, developed and field tested under the ASTeC programme. These technologies have been demonstrated for process automation, control and optimization in Tuticorin Thermal Power Station (210 MW plant) and Water Treatment plant at Kerala Water Authority, Aluva. These indigenously developed automation technologies are suitable for deployment in different types of process industries like sugar, cement, paper, textiles etc.
Brief details of some of the products which are available to industry for technology transfer are given below:

• Multi Loop Controller (iSMART)- industrial System Monitoring Autonomous Remote Terminal is a stand alone powerful controller capable of acquiring analog and digital inputs, processing them and simultaneously controlling 2/4 loops. It is equipped with communication mechanisms such as IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), high speed USB interface, IEEE 802.3.10/ 100 Mpbs Ethernet interface and configurable RS 232/ RS 485.

• Low Power Controller (iLoC)- Industrial Low Power Controller (iLoC) is a solar powered stand alone module housed in an iP65 enclosure. iLoC enables to monitor a remote site when it is impractical or too expensive to run electrical power to that location. It is capable of acquiring analog inputs, digital input/output and having programmable scan interval. The architecture combined with low power modes and separate switching regulators for peripherals is to achieve extended battery life especially for uninterrupted remote applications. It is equipped with wireless communication interfaces such as IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee), IEEE 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi, only for powered conditions) and configurable RS 232/ RS485. Low Power Controller embeds Tiny OS, which is designed for low powered devices with networking capabilities and resources-constrained devices.

• Common Communication Gatway (iGate):iGate is an industrial communication Gateway module to handle various open industrial protocols like Modbus, DNP 3.0etc and CDAC proprietary DACS protocol. It communicates to the outside world through hardware interfaces like RS232/RS422/RS485, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi & ZigBee. It is aimed to address the lack of interoperability in the current industrial setup. It is designed to act as a middleware node that will allow seamless protocol conversion as well as management among all the end nodes, employing different physical interfaces and protocols for communication.
  • IGate-Communication Interface

iGate-Communication Interface

• Wireless Sensor Nodes(iWiSe):The industrial Wireless Sensor is an ultra low power Wireless Sensor Node capable of acquiring and processing signals from any industrial sensor and transmits the information wirelessly to a base station unit for monitoring and control. iWise collects field data, in the form of analog and digital signals, from sensors in the industrial environment and relays it to the base station with an on-board 2,4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 low power RF transceiver, the industrial Wireless Sensor aims at addressing the increasing demand for wireless devices in Industrial Automation area owing to lesser wiring, ease of deployment, enhanced flexibility, increased safety and decreased maintenance cost. iWise is provided with an ingress protection of IP65, which facilitates operation in harsh outdoor environments. iWise also provides excellent operation in the industrial environment with an operating temperature range of –40 to +85 degree Centigrade.  

iWiSe-Wireless sensor node

• Wireless Base Station (iWase):The industrial Wireless Base Station is standalone panel mountable devices which acquires and process sensor values from sensors nodes in a wireless sensor network and relay the information to a central monitoring station. iWase built around the powerful AT91SAM9XE512 ARM9 controller, acquires radio packets from wireless nodes using a 2.4 GHz IEE 802.12.4 RF transceiver and relay the information to a SCADA network or a central monitoring station using Ethernet interface or to a remote monitoring station using GSM/GPRS interface. The iWase also embeds a GPS receiver to provide location and time information to nodes in the network. IWase has an ingress protection of IP 65, which facilitates operation in harse outdoor environment. IWase also provides excellent operation in industrial environment with an operating temperature range of –40 to + 85 degree Centigrade.

• Colour Sensing System (iCoSS): ): The industrial Colour Sensor System is a handheld standalone unit that is capable of identifying and measuring different colours. The sensor system can be used for reflective and refractive materials by attaching separate sensor modules. Unlike the traditional colour sensor’s “match/no-match” output condition, this system is designed with sophisticated and stable algorithms which outputs RGB and CIE-L*a*b* values.

iCoss-Colour Sensor System

• SCADA/ HMI Software (iROSE): industrial Range Open SCADA SoftwarE addresses the need for scalable, flexible and extensible SCADA software.  It is an open and standards bases SCADA that provides easier configuration and installation capabilities.  iROSE is a suite of three packages:

            iFACE (industrial Flexible Automation Control Engine)
            iDLog (industrial Data Logger) and 
            iROC (industrial Remote Configuration). 

iFACE is an ease-to-use, full featured web based HMI that enables full control and visualisation capabilities over intranet.  iFACE runs on any web Browser that supports Adobe Flash Player V.10.
iDLog logs real time tag values at pre-defined intervals. 
iROC is used to configure iSMART and iCon, the industrial controllers, which support DACS (proprietary protocol) developed by CDAC (T). Third Party devices, which support Modbus TCP, DNP3 TCP, IEC60870-5-104, can also be configured.

• Simulation Platform (iSimp):  industrial Simulation Platform – with the developments in information technology, there has been a totally new approach to the teaching, developing and experimenting with Advanced Control Algorithms for Process Control. Today, process models developed in Object Oriented Modelling languages are widely used to simulate the real processes and rigorously design and test appropriate control systems. In today’s modern Plant Automation and Control Systems, Simulation Platforms is an integral part of the total system. ISimp has been developed to address these requirements with the technical know-how of Linkoping University, Sweden. This feature is provided to learn the process behaviour on-line during the normal operation of the plant and improve the performance of the controllers. An accurate simulation model allows operators to train under ‘live’ conditions without exposing the plant to the consequences of their mistakes.

• Real Time Expert System (iRESS): industrial Real time Expert System Shell)is an integrated software tool which can be used by system developers and domain experts to develop Knowledge-based systems. This tool allows creation of Knowledge Base by encoding and expert’s knowledge as a set of rules and frames and does inference using built in backward or forward chaining inference engine. The tool is designed to interface with external SCADA system via plug-in modules, which support standards like OPC. It also supports explanation facilities. Applications developed with iRESS are used in problem solving and decision-making in a particular domain.

ITS

ITS endeavour for Indian cities was initiated in October, 2009 as a collaborative research project to make India a major player in the field of electronics & IT technologies required for advanced traffic management and control system. As part of this project an embedded Centre of Excellence on ITS has been created at CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram, which is now functional as a national resource centre in the country. Towards this objective, necessary infrastructure has been created through this project at the Nodal Centre.

As part of this programme eight sub projects have been taken up for implementation by CDAC, Thiruvananthapuram (nodal agency) with IITs (Chennai and Mumbai) and IIM, Kolkata as the other participating agencies. The following eight sub projects have been completed after development and demonstration of ITS technologies in the field to the end users:
 • Solar power based Wireless Traffic Control System (WiTraC) 
 • Second generation Area Traffic Control System (CoSiCoSt-2G)
 • Real-time Traffic Counting and Monitoring System
 • Intelligent Parking lot Management System (e-PARK)
 • Advanced Traveller Information System for Indian Cities
 • Intelligent Transit Trip Planner and Real Time Route Information
 • Red-light Violation Detection System
 • An intelligent Traffic Congestion Management System using RFID

WiTraC technology has been implemented by CDAC (T) at BRTS Indore. WiTraC this technology has been transferred to eight industries for commercial exploitation. e-PARK has been implemented at two sites at new building of CDAC (T) at Techno Park, Trivandrum and Haribhau Sane multilevel parking lot provided by Pune Municipal Corporation. Advanced Travellers Information System has been implemented by IIT Madras in IT Corridor at Chennai. Red light Violation Detection System has been field tested by CDAC (T) at Trivandrum. Intelligent Transit Trip Planner and Real Time Route Information and Real-time Traffic Counting and Monitoring System have been developed and demonstrated by IIT Bombay with CDAC (T) at Mumbai. All the activities in ITS project will be completed by 30.6.2014.
These ITS technologies are now available for technology transfer to the interested industries for their commercial exploitation.

eAgriEn Project

Electronics for Agriculture & Environment (e-AGRIEN) project has been initiated in March, 2010 at C-DAC, Kolkata with the objective:
 • To set-up an integrated facility for advanced research in the multi-disciplinary field of Agri-Electronics leading to a) technology demonstrators and b) indigenous electronics and IT-based products and services for Indian Agricultural community.
 • To provide IT based services and consultancy to agricultural entrepreneurs, researchers and other stakeholders on specialized solutions developed under the aegis of the center.
 • To conduct special training programme on advanced agri-tech topics.
 • To promote national and international level networking, collaboration and alliances in the field of agri-electronics.

The following eight collaborative sub projects initiated are under different stages of development, field trials and implementation by CDAC Kolkata as nodal agency:
 • Establishment of the eAgriEn R&D Infrastructure at C- DAC, Kolkata.
 • Development of Electronic Nose for monitoring Industrial Obnoxious Odorous Constituents generated from Pulp and Paper industries with NEERI, Nagpur
 • Web Enabled Access of Agricultural Information with BIRSA Agriculture University, Ranchi
 • Application of Digital Image Processing Technologies in Tasar Sericulture with PRADAN, Jharkhand
 • Development of Handheld E – Nose with Sensor Hub Kolkata
 • Developing tools for a Decision Support System Framework for Tea Production System using a Wireless Sensors Network (WSN) with Tea Research Association, Jorhat
 • Development of Membrane Electrode Array Based Novel Sensing System for Rapid Taste Characterization of Food and Agro Produces with IIT Kharagpur
 • Electronic Olfaction for Biotechnology Applications with PESIT Bangalore

Design and Development of Climate Control System for Greenhouses used in Agri-Research

The technology for precise control of climatic parameters such as temperature, humidity, light, carbon dioxide etc., along with controlled irrigation and fertigation in a research- Greenhouse has been developed by CDAC, Mohali in collaboration with National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute. This technology has helped in studying the effects of climatic changes on various crop varieties. The project has been successfully completed with the development and field testing with a complete cycle of growth of wheat. Based on the encouraging results demonstrated in this project, IARI, Delhi has signed an MOU with CDAC, Mohali for design and deployment of eight climate controlled Green Houses.

Development of an Embedded System for On-board Assessment of the Level of Alertness in Human Driver

An Embedded System for onboard assessment of level of alertness in human drivers has been developed by IIT Kharagpur. After completion of field trials in a car, the salient features of the prototype system have been demonstrated and project has been completed successfully. Two patents have been filed and a number of papers have been published/presented.

Autonomic Real Time Multiprotocol Gateway for power utilities

Under this project technology of Gateway framework with converters for the proprietary protocols to IEC protocols with 4 sub-modules has been designed, developed by CDAC, Bangalore and demonstrated at Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. The four modules of multi protocol gateway are ready for technology transfer.

National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NAMPET) Phase-II

The overall objectives of NaMPET Phase-II Programme initiated in January 2012 for implementation in five years is to strengthen the power electronics base in the country by carrying out a multitude of activities like technology development projects, training activities and strengthening the industry interactions with R&D and academic institutes through collaborative research projects.
As part of NaMPET Phase-II, three categories of projects viz. (i) Deployment, up gradation and product development projects as a follow up to Phase-I projects where prototypes were developed and tested in lab conditions, (ii) Advanced technology development projects in emerging areas like power electronics components of Smart Grid, renewable energy Micro Grids and their connectivity, Smart Controllers, power electronics system for high voltage application and Micro/Mini Hydel power generation, and (iii) Exploratory research projects at academic institutions will be undertaken for implementation. As part of training activities three short term courses in different areas of power electronics are proposed to be organised at academic institutes every year for five years. To create awareness, provide platform for interactions between academic, R&D and institutes working in the field and disseminate information about the programme amongst various stakeholders, annual workshop on power electronics with specific theme are proposed to be organised every year including one international conference. Additional infrastructure facilities are proposed to be created at CDAC (T) as nodal Centre for (i) Test/demonstration set up required for development in the renewable energy area/Smart Grid components (ii) facilities for product engineering, transfer of technology and industry interaction.The following 11 sub projects have been initiated at nodal agency CDAC (T) and other participating institutes so far to meet objectives of the NaMPET Phase-II programme:

(i) Deployment, up gradation and product development

 • Simulation Centre for Power Electronics and Power System being implemented by IIT, Bombay:
 • Development and deployment of FSS Miniature models in Educational Institutions being implemented by CDAC (T) and IISc, Bangalore.
 • Up-gradation of Full Spectrum Simulator by CDAC (T) and IIT, Bombay.
 • Development of a Futuristic Indigenous Power Conversion Technology for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants (1MW) being implemented by CDAC (T) with support from WBREDA, Kolkata.

(ii) Advanced technology development

 • Development of 10kV Power Supply with Solid State Crowbar being implemented by CDAC (T) and IISc, Bangalore.
 • System on Programmable Chip (SOPC) based Power Electronic Controller being implemented by CDAC (T).
 • Power Converter and its application by BIT Ranchi

(iii) Exploratory research

 • Design, development and testing of 3-phase Permanent Magnet Machines and their Converters being implemented by BESU, Howrah.
 • Development of DC-DC converter and bi-directional converter for SPV application being implemented by NIT, Trichy.
 • Modelling Design and fabrication of Induction Motor for Propulsion Applications being implemented by IIT, Patna.
 • Study of Dynamic and Static behaviour of SiC devices and development of converter topology being implemented by CDAC(T), IIT(M) & IISc, Bangalore
 • Investigations on Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices for Power Electronic switching applications

(iv) Infrastructure Development

• Infrastructure Resources at Nodal Centre being implemented by CDAC (T).

(v) Short Term Courses arranged so far

 • Power Electronics in Mini/Micro Hydropower Generation- IIT Roorkee
 • Design and Control of Grid-Connected Power Converters- CET Trivandrum
 • Power Converters and Applications-BIT Ranchi
 • Control of Permanent Magnet AC Machines-IIT Madras
 • Power Electronic Systems and Application – NIT Rourkela
 • Power electronics in Distributed Power Generation- NITK Surathkal

(vi) National Workshop on Power Electronics Technology

 • First National Workshop on Power Electronics Technology (NWPE-2013)
 • Second National Workshop on Power Electronics (NWPE-2014)- by BITS, Ranchi

(vii) Student Awards

As an encouragement to students engaged in final year project work in Power Electronics/ Power System, under NaMPET Phase-II the following Best Project Awards have been constituted:

 • Post Graduate Project Awards: Two awards are available for best post graduate ME/ MTech project thesis. Each award will carry a merit certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-
 • Under Graduate Project Awards: Two awards are available for best under graduate BE/BTech project thesis. Each award will carry a merit certificate and a cash prize of Rs.25,000/-

This advertisement calls for applications from students who have completed and submitted their final project thesis during the period October 2013- August 2014. The details about the student awards are available at NaMPET website (www.nampet.in).

Design, Development and Engineering of a 28 DOF Humanoid Robot

A prototype of Humanoid robot has been fabricated by BITS, Pilani by demonstrating progress made in the areas of localization, identification of object, path planning and behaviour modelling. Testing and trials are going on.

New Projects

The following new projects have recently been initiated

Feasibility Study Report on Development of Various Microwaves based Gadgets for Heavy Industries

In this newly initiated project, CDAC, Kolkata and SAMEER, Kolkata have been supported to carry out feasibility study and prepare an elaborate report (covering details of technology, various sensing methods, observations through proof of concept, technical and economic analysis, application areas, interactions with industries etc.) in the form of a complete project proposal which could be taken up for implementation after successful results from the proof of concept envisaged in three areas i.e. Vibration Sensor, Level Sensor and Life Detection in Debris.

Design & Development of Electronic Personal Security Device (ePSD)

This project aims at design and development of a small, affordable and user-friendly personal safety device in the form of a watch/ bracelet. The prototype will be field tried and modifications will be carried out as per feedback.

Development and Deployment of an Electronic Personal Safety System (ePSS) at Police Control Room, Jaipur

The development of back end system for ePSS based on Dial 100 system has been completed and ePSS system has been deployed and made operational at Police Control Room at Jaipur. The field trials have been conducted by Jaipur Police. The feedback received from the trials is being incorporated. Based on the outcome of the field trials, ePSS could be considered for deployment in other cities.

Automation System for Kovur Sugar Factory, Nellore

This project has been initiated to demonstrate automation in sugar industry using the Automation Technologies developed under ASTeC project. The project is being implemented by CDAC (T) in collaboration with Kovur Sugar Factory, Nellore.